HB 2568 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Summary

Increases the fee amount collected from taxpayers claiming the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and requires a portion of funds collected to be used to support the vertical film industry in the State. Expands the funding sources of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to include revenues received by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from managing the Hawaii Film Studio. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Repeals 1/1/2033. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB2568 → HB2568_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands funding for Hawaii's vertical film industry by adding revenue from the Hawaii Film Studio to the state's film development fund and increasing the fee collected from taxpayers claiming film tax credits. The changes aim to support set building, grants, and workforce development for vertical filming. Additionally, the bill updates the effective date to July 1, 3000, and clarifies that the Hawaii Film Studio is now included in the facilities generating revenue for this fund.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include revenues from the Hawaii Film Studio as a funding source for the vertical film industry, whereas previously such revenues were excluded.

FISCAL

Added the Hawaii Film Studio to the list of public facilities whose management revenues contribute to the Hawaii film and creative industries development special fund.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from its original approval to July 1, 3000.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the purpose statement to explicitly include expanding funding sources alongside increasing the tax credit fee.

SCOPE

Added a new provision to expand the funding sources of the special fund to include revenues from managing the Hawaii Film Studio.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 512-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 6

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

9 primary · 2 co-sponsors