On July 6, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green signed SB 2580 into law, strengthening and extending the state’s film and television tax credit program. Some of the notable reforms include increasing the annual cap to $60 million for certain productions, adding a 5% uplift to the overall credit for utilizing at least 80% local hires, and extending the overall program through 2038, providing much needed consistency for long-term productions and investments. Led by a group of DGA members based in Hawai’i, the DGA submitted a letter of support to the Hawai’i Legislature in favor of the bill.
The written testimony from DGA Associate National Executive Director/Western Executive Director Rebecca Rhine stated, “These important reforms will help ensure our members can continue to find work locally and not be forced to choose between staying in Hawai’i or going elsewhere in order to stay in the entertainment industry.”
The DGA thanks and congratulates our members in Hawai’i, Governor Green, the Hawai’i legislature, and the entire creative community in Hawai’i for their successful efforts to extend and strengthen the tax credit.
For information on Hawai’i’s tax credit program visit the Hawai’i Film Office website at https://filmoffice.hawaii.gov.
The DGA continues to advocate for improvements to state incentive programs and the development of a federal incentive program to combat the flow of production heading overseas.
To learn more about the DGA’s efforts on Production Incentives, visit www.dga.org/Initiatives/Production-Incentives.
