STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3311

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1576

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 1576, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FILMING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production obtains a permit or enters into a memorandum of agreement or understanding with the Department to film a visually recorded production at certain locations;

(2) Require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production registers for pre-qualification or is determined to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and simultaneously post notice on a publicly accessible part of its website;

(3) Allow individuals to sign up to receive the public notice by electronic mail or postal mail; and

(4) Provide an exemption for dispositions of lands set aside for filming and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Local 996; Hawaii Media Inc.; IATSE Local 665 Hawaii; Island Film Group; and forty-seven individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and one individual.

Your Committee finds that open, advance notification of filming activity by giving residents, businesses, and cultural practitioners timely information about where and when productions will occur helps ensure that community voices are heard and that potential impacts on neighborhoods, natural areas, and cultural sites are considered. Your Committee further finds that improving transparency and coordination between film productions, affected communities, and state and county agencies can reduce conflicts, enhance public trust, and promote more responsible use of public and private spaces. This measure allows for greater public awareness and input regarding filming activities while balancing the operational needs and economic contributions of the film industry to the State, and supports more predictable, community-informed decision-making regarding film permitting and oversight.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 3050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1576, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1576, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism,

________________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair