Supporting Hawai‘i’s Film Industry
Representative Greggor Ilagan introduced a House Proposed Conference Draft of Senate Bill 732 to strengthen and protect Hawai‘i’s film and media industry. The House draft focused on three key provisions aimed at making Hawai‘i more competitive in attracting productions while supporting local jobs and talent:
- Increase the annual film tax credit cap to $60 million
- Add a 5% bonus for productions hiring at least 80% local crew
- Open the credit to include streaming productions
This version reflected the House’s strong position: to support a thriving film industry in Hawai‘i that creates high-quality jobs and expands opportunities for our local workforce.
A Harmful Senate Proposal
Unfortunately, the Senate’s version of the bill went in a drastically different direction. It included eight sections and twelve provisions, many of which would have severely hurt the industry. The most harmful provision proposed repealing the film tax credit entirely by 2033—a move that would have driven productions out of state and cost Hawai‘i thousands of jobs.
Other concerning elements in the Senate conference draft included:
• Eliminating the income tax exemption for film and television productions
• Waiving county permitting fees, including fees for special duty police officers, which would hurt local governments and public safety
As Rep. Ilagan stated:
“I oppose these provisions, especially the repeal of the tax credit and the waiving of fees for special duty officers. These changes would damage our communities and dismantle years of progress in building a sustainable creative economy in Hawai‘i.”
No Agreement Reached
Despite the House’s efforts to negotiate a version that would grow Hawai‘i’s film industry responsibly, the Senate refused to adopt the House conference draft changes to the bill, which would’ve protected the industry. As a result, SB732 did not pass during the conference committee period and died in the 2025 Legislative Session.
It also means that all laws remain status quo, preserving the $50 million allocated for the film industry. These tax credits can continue to attract productions to film in Hawaii.
Next Steps
During the interim, Representative Greggor Ilagan will continue to meet with members of Hawai‘i’s film industry to explore solutions that uplift the industry and protect local jobs. At a time when our workforce is facing uncertainty, these conversations are more important than ever.
Rep. Ilagan has already been engaging with producers, crew members, industry advocates, and local stakeholders to understand their needs and find paths forward. His commitment remains clear:
To be a strong ally for Hawai‘i’s film industry and a champion for sustainable, local job creation. By working together, we can ensure that Hawai‘i remains a competitive and welcoming home for film and media productions.