Three state lawmakers have introduced legislation to strengthen the California Film and Television Tax Credit program. The two bills, AB1138 and SB630, from assemblymen Rick Chavez Zbur and Isaac Bryan and state Sen. Ben Allen is meant to keep productions and jobs in the state.

All three authors represent districts with a significant number of employees in the arts and entertainment industry. AB 1138 and SB 630 will be referred to respective policy committees in the next few weeks. They were introduced on Feb. 20.

The bills aims to: “amend, update, and modernize California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program to protect and bring back jobs that are leaving California for other states and international locations in the increasingly competitive motion picture and television production industry, and to ensure that California remains competitive.”

Some productions move out of state

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently proposed increasing the Film & TV Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually, intending to ensure the state’s position as the top destination for film and television production, according to a release from the lawmakers.

Until recently, the entertainment industry accounted for more than 200,000 direct jobs in California, resulting in billions of dollars in economic activity. However, other states, including New York and Georgia, and countries such as Canada have adopted highly competitive film and television tax incentives, luring jobs and productions away from the state.

“This bill modernizes the program to ensure that California’s programs protect our jobs, remain competitive and allow California to retain its leadership in this industry,” the release said.