Brief
California Democrats and Unions Push Federal Film Incentive Bill
Sen. Adam Schiff and Southern California representatives urged Congress to approve a 20‑30% tax credit for U.S. film labor costs.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A delegation of California Democrats joined union leaders on Tuesday in Glendale to promote a federal film incentive, seeking to move the measure through Congress before the end of the year, Variety reported.
What happened
Sen. Adam Schiff and eight Democratic representatives from Southern California held a press event outside the Alex Theatre in Glendale, speaking in 100‑degree heat. They argued that the United States must counter film incentives offered by 65 foreign countries that have drawn American production jobs abroad.
What the reports add
The bill, introduced last month, would create a transferable tax credit of 20%‑30% for U.S. labor costs on movies and TV shows. It also includes a 5% bonus for filming in disaster‑affected areas, applying to all of Los Angeles County until January 2030 because of last year’s fires.
What was said
"We are so close to getting this done," Schiff said, adding that the measure is "job No. 1" and cannot wait. He noted that 12 senators—six Democrats and six Republicans—support the proposal, with Sens. Thom Tillis (R‑NC) and Chris Coons (D‑DE) recently joining as cosponsors. Rep. Laura Friedman, whose office organized the press conference, said she is "cautiously, guardedly optimistic" and urged that the bill reach the president’s desk by mid‑December, hoping it will be included in a larger tax package.
How it came about
The effort follows months of lobbying by industry groups and lawmakers, building on earlier discussions of a federal film tax credit highlighted in Felo News coverage of Noah Wyle’s Emmy remarks on the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act.
Key facts
- Sen. Adam Schiff and eight Southern California Democrats campaigned for a federal film incentive on Tuesday in Glendale. (variety.com)
- The proposed bill would offer a 20%-30% transferable tax credit for U.S. labor costs on film and TV productions. (variety.com)
- A 5% bonus would apply to filming in Los Angeles County disaster areas until January 2030. (variety.com)
- Senators Thom Tillis and Chris Coons have recently become cosponsors, bringing bipartisan support to 12 senators. (variety.com)
- Rep. Laura Friedman wants the bill on the president’s desk by mid‑December as part of a larger tax package. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Unions and Democrats Stump for Federal Film Incentive: ‘We Are So Close to Getting This Done’”
