HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1941
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TAXATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 235-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) To qualify for this tax credit, a production shall:

(1) Meet the definition of a qualified production specified in subsection (o);

(2) Have qualified production costs totaling at least $100,000;

(3) Complete at least fifteen per cent of the production's:

(A) Principal photography in the State within the same taxable year the production qualifies for the tax credit; and

(B) Post-production in the State within the same taxable year the production qualifies for the tax credit; provided that a production may satisfy the post-production requirement under this subparagraph if the production is unable to complete fifteen per cent of the post-production in the same taxable year the production otherwise qualifies for the tax credit and commits to completing the post-production requirement in later taxable years.

[(3)] (4) Provide the State a qualified Hawaii promotion, which shall be at a minimum, a shared-card, end-title screen credit, where applicable;

[(4)] (5) Provide evidence of reasonable efforts to hire local talent and crew;

[(5)] (6) Provide evidence when making any claim for products or services acquired or rendered outside of this State that reasonable efforts were unsuccessful to secure and use comparable products or services within this State;

[(6)] (7) Provide evidence of financial or in-kind contributions or educational or workforce development efforts, in partnership with related local industry labor organizations, educational institutions, or both, toward the furtherance of the local film and television and digital media industries;

[(7)] (8) Provide evidence of reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable requirements under title 14, including tax return filing and payments; and

[(8)] (9) Provide complete responses to the department of taxation's inquiries and document requests, in the form prescribed by the department, no later than ninety days from the inquiry or request;

provided that a taxpayer shall be given notice of and an opportunity to cure any failure to meet the requirements of this subsection, including chapter 237, within thirty days of receipt of the notice; provided further that nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted as waiving any act required by this section."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000, and shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026; provided that on January 1, 2033, section 1 of this Act shall be repealed to coincide with the repeal date of Act 88, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, as amended by Act 89, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, as amended by Act 143, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, as amended by Act 217, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, and section 235‑17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day before the effective date of Act 88, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006.

Report Title:

Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit; Qualifications; Principal Photography; Post-production

Description:

Amends the requirements for productions to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax to include completing at least fifteen per cent of the production's principal photography within the same taxable year the production is qualifying for the film tax credit and completing or committing to complete fifteen per cent of the production's post-production in the State within the same taxable year the production is qualifying for the film tax credit or later taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Repeals 1/1/2033. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

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