STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2689

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3085

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 3085 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII FILM STUDIO,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide an exemption to dispositions of lands set aside for film studio and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources pursuant to section 171-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, thus streamlining the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's use of the Hawaii Film Studio for filming activity and other film-related business in order to more efficiently develop the State's film, media, and creative industries.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Creative Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaiʻi Film Alliance; CARES; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Kapolei Chamber of Commerce; and five individuals.

Your Committees find that the State has invested over $25,000,000 in capital improvements at the Hawaii Film Studio, however it can be challenging for potential tenants to quickly and easily secure a lease at the site. This measure would ensure the State's investment is delivering its intended economic benefits and supporting local film, media, and creative industries by enabling a streamlined approach for lease approvals at the Hawaii Film Studio.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Water, Land, Culture and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3085, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3085, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Water, Land, Culture and the Arts,

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair