HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-15 Letter to Mark Nakashima re SB 1086 SD 2 Relating to Motion Picture, Digital Media and Film Production Income Tax Credit .Z.0!`' •'.'o ft•, Wil Okabe
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March 15, 2017
Representative Mark Nakashima, Chairman
Committee on Economic Development and Business
Hawaii State Legislature
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Dear Chairman Nakashima and Committee Members,
RE: SB 1086 SD 2
Relating to the Motion Picture, Digital Media and Film Production
Income Tax Credit
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding SB 1086, SD2,
relating to the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit. The
County of Hawai'i supports this measure and suggests further modifications of the
measure to level the playing field between Neighbor Island and Oahu-based production.
The film, media and supporting creative industries are highly competitive both
nationally and globally, and the State's tax credit, dating to 2006, has incentivized a
wide range of productions to select Hawai'i for their work. The proposed extension of
the production tax credit is critical to the continued health and growth of the media
sector. Without the extension of the credit, not only production-related work will be
impacted, but the likelihood of a public/private partnership to develop new industry
infrastructure will be stalled.
The cost of production is typically higher on the neighbor islands; therefore the
County of Hawai'i supports increasing the tax credit to 35 percent over the current 25
percent rate for counties with a population of 700,000 or less. This will enable neighbor
island counties to be more competitive and attractive to the media sector.
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Mark Nakashima
March 15, 2017
Page 2
Again, thank you for this opportunity to provide supportive testimony and further
recommendations on SB 1086, SD2.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim Ke-Al-1
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer