.jpg)
Whether you are a 477 member, a principal actor or extra, a producer or production assistant, a relative of someone who makes a living from Florida filmmaking or simply a Floridian who gets a kick out of seeing movies made in your own backyard . . . if you want to join the fight to keep our industry alive in Florida, here's where you can access filmmaking news, legislative updates, contact lists and other information about the statewide effort to pass HB 697:
Here's the direct link to HB 697 at the Florida House of Representative Homepage, where you can access continuous updates on the bill's progress through the legislative session: HB 697
- April 6, 2010: HB 697 receives its 2nd and 3rd readings on the floor of the House and is passed unanimously with amendments. The entire House -- both Republicans and Democrats -- symbolically sign on as co-sponsors of this legislation.
- March 25, 2010: In a very exciting day in Tallahassee, SB 1752 (the omnibus "Jobs Bill") received its second reading on the Senate floor and, after waiver of the rules, its third and final reading; it passed by unanimous 38-0 vote and will now await development of its companion bill on the House side. SB 1752 calls for $20 million in tax credits for film, television and digital media incentives.
Later the same day, HB 697 was passed unanimously by the members of the House Council on Finance and Tax, after presentations by the bill's three co-prime sponsors: Representatives Precourt, Ambler and Carroll. Amendments to the language were accepted, including important changes to the language of the "family friendly" section. Tax credit amounts were reduced to $55 million for FY 2010-2011, $50 million for FY 2011-2012, and $27 million for each of the next three fiscal years. HB 697 can now be sent to the House floor.
- March 24, 2010: SB 1430 unanimously passes the Senate Committee on Commerce. The bill is anticipated to be put forward to the full Senate Thursday morning, March 25th.
Also, HB 697 will be considered by the House Council on Finance and Tax on Thursday afternoon, March 26th.
- March 18, 2010: SB 1430 - sponsored by Senator Mike Haridopolos (R-16) and companion bill to HB 697 - is incorporated into the "Jobs Bill" in the Senate.
- March 3, 2010: After strong presentations by Representatives Precourt and Ambler, and personal testimony from a cross-section of industry professionals, HB 697 passes the House Economic Development Policy Committee by unanimous vote of the members.
- March 2, 2010: HB 697 is added to the agenda of the House Economic Development Policy Committee for the morning of March 3rd. The members of this committee are:
Representative Jennifer Carroll
Representative Eric Eisnaugle
Representative Betty Reed
Representative Joseph Abruzzo
Representative Leonard L. Bembry
Representative Steve Crisafulli
Representative Carl J. Domino
Representative Greg Evers
Representative Ed Hooper
Representative Matt Hudson
Representative Kurt Kelly
Representative Bryan Nelson
Representative Yolly Roberson
Representative Geraldine F. Thompson
- January 29, 2010: Representative Jennifer Carroll (R-Jacksonville) and Representative Kevin Ambler (R-Tampa) have joined Representative Precourt as full sponsors of HB 697.
- January 28, 2010: HB 697 sent to House Economic Development Policy Committee. Now is the time to contact members of this committee and ask them to support Florida filmmaking. Here is a link to the EDPC homepage and contact info for committee members and staff. 477 members should call and email every member. If you are a constituent of any member, it is especially important that you make yourself heard!
- January 28, 2010: In his recommendation for an increased commitment to growing the Florida film industry, Governor Crist cited the following figures:
"In Fiscal Year 2008-09, 29 productions spent more than $55.3 million on Florida wages, products and services that met the strict parameters of the program. The 6,434 jobs resulting from these productions put $37.3 million in wages into the pockets of Floridians. An additional $18 million was spent with Florida businesses. Approximately $8.6 million was rebated to these productions, based on their qualified Florida expenditures. On average, for every dollar rebated a certified production on qualified Florida expenditures, over six dollars were spent on Florida wages, products or services."
For the full press release, in which the Governor proposes raising the appropriation to $15 million next fiscal year (which is legislation separate from the tax credit-based, multi-year HB 697), download the file here.
- January 20, 2010: Representative Stephen Precourt (R-Winter Garden) and Senator Mike Haridopolos (R-Melbourne) hold press conference to introduce HB 697:
Florida House of Representatives
Representative Steve Precourt
402 South Monroe Street
303 House Office Building
Tallahassee, Florida
32399-1300
PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: Kelsey Wohlman
January 20, 2010 (850) 488-0256
Rep. Steve Precourt and Sen. Mike Haridopolos Unveil “Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act”
Tax Credit Would Lead to Immediate Job Growth, Increased Revenue
Tallahassee, FL – Rep. Steve Precourt (R-41) today introduced the Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act (HB 697), an innovative proposal to stimulate job growth and generate millions in revenue at zero cost to the taxpayer. The tax credit program, also sponsored by Senate President-Designate Mike Haridopolos, levels the playing field for Florida to once again compete in the emerging economic cluster of film and digital media production.
“With Florida’s unemployment rate now higher than the national average, this program is a critical tool to expand an industry poised to bolster future economic growth,” said Precourt. “We have an opportunity to immediately create new jobs and generate new revenue without burdening the taxpayer and we need to seize it.”
In recent years, Florida’s existing film incentive program has been cut dramatically, resulting in a sharp decline in production projects lost to competing states. The bill creates a film and digital media tax credit that has a proven track record of attracting and growing the industry in other states. The production company will only receive the credit after all its payments have been verified. With the investment occurring before a credit is issued, this is a true performance-based credit.
Although the film office can begin issuing credits upon adoption of the program, credits cannot be claimed until tax returns for 2012 or later, ensuring not $1 of credits will be claimed or issued in the upcoming budget. This will generate substantial amounts of new tax revenue, create thousands of jobs and boost ancillary businesses.
“On the heels of last week’s Jobs Summit where the film and digital media industry was highlighted as a key player in Florida’s economic recovery, this proposal will allow us to hit the ground running,” said Haridopolos. “It’s my hope that the days of Florida consistently losing film production and digital media projects to other states will soon be over.”
The proposal is also supported by Speaker Designate Dean Cannon, who said, "The film and digital media industry presents exciting new opportunities for job creation at a time when Florida needs it most,” said Cannon. “I look forward to working with Rep. Precourt and Senator Haridopolos to position Florida as a national leader in this dynamic, growing industry.”
Other key provisions include an annual cap on total credits of $75M, an increase in the base incentive amount from the 15% to 20% for major film, TV and digital media productions and an increase in the “family friendly” project enhancement from 2% to 5. Only Florida expenditures such as hiring local residents and contracting with Florida-based companies qualify.
