HB 2271
HB 2271 (same as last year’s bill) relating to workforce development will be heard by the House Committee on Economic Development on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. This measure requires the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to administer a workforce development incentive rebate program that incentivizes local independent film and television productions. The hearing notice can be viewed here.
We are asking for your help to keep this bill moving.
Testimony must be received by Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 11 a.m.
Submitting online written testimony is easy.
Go to the HB 2271 status page. Look in the upper right-hand part of the screen and click on the orange “Submit Testimony” button. (You need to do this separately for each bill.)
If you still need to create a login, you will be instructed on how to do so. After that, it is just a few clicks to have your voice heard.
Here are additional instructions on how to submit your testimony.
When submitting testimony, you need not write anything out, it is as simple as clicking the “SUPPORT” button. However, if you are so inclined to write more, please consider:
- Thanking the Legislature for supporting our members in Hawaii.
- Stating that you are supporting HB 2271.
- Mentioning that a robust and stable incentive program that incorporates workforce development incentives is not only good for our members, crew, technicians and the creative industries, it benefits the whole state.
- Mentioning that HB 2271 allows independent films and lower-budget projects to provide wages for our members and creates more opportunities for local actors, performers and stunt people to hone their craft, thus growing a better-prepared, more attractive workforce ready to be hired for more roles on bigger-budget studio projects.
- Mentioning that HB 2271 protects performers and creative industry workers by discouraging the misclassification of employees as independent contractors in lower-budget films/TV productions. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors robs them of state and federally-mandated employee protections, leading to potentially uninsured injury claims, wage theft and other violations. Additionally, the misclassification of workers can result in a reduction in state tax and unemployment insurance collections.
SB 2942
SB 2942 relating to the employment of a minor (the language is the same as the last session) will be heard on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. This measure: 1) allows minors under the age of sixteen to work in theatrical employment provided that the employer procures a valid certificate of employment, and the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian or a certain responsible adult; 2) requires a nurse certified in basic life support to accompany, supervise and advocate on behalf of an infant on set who is under the age one; 3) requires a studio teacher to accompany, teach and attend to the well-being of minors who have attained the age of five years and are required to but have been excused from attending school; 4) defines "nurse" and "studio teacher." Here is the hearing notice.
Testimony must be received by Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 3 p.m.
Again, submitting online written testimony is easy.
Go to the SB 2942 status page. Look in the upper right-hand part of the screen, and click on the orange “Submit Testimony” button.
If you still need to create a login, you will be instructed on how to do so. After that, it is just a few clicks to have your voice heard.
Here are instructions on how to submit testimony.
Thank you for your support and for taking the time to read this information. Please contact mericia.palmaelmore@sagaftra.org with questions.