HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – The Montana House of Representatives advanced a bill 84 to 16 Tuesday that would give an income tax credit to film production companies.
Republican Representative David Bedey from Hamilton, who voted for House Bill 293, says tapping into the film industry would only benefit Montana, but the state has to incentivize filmmakers.
“If we wish to grow our economy and diversify our economy and attract this industry into our state, we must compete with other states, that’s the fact of the matter in the film business now.”
Tim Pierce with the UM Legislative News Service reports, the bill would give a 20 percent income tax credit on all production expenses made in Montana, but production companies would have to spend at least $350,000 before receiving the credit. It would also require production companies to put a Montana promotion in their film.
Democratic Representative Bridget Smith from Wolf Point says filmmakers would receive more credit if they hire Montana residents or university students.
“This is a jobs bill, let me tell you. It’s immediate money to your small community, it’s payroll for hiring Montanans.”
Smith introduced a similar bill last session, but it died in the Senate.
