Resurrected Bill Would Provide Incentives For Filmmakers Shooting In Montana

Montana Public Radio | By Cole Grant - UM Legislative News Service

Published March 30, 2017 at 6:19 PM MDT

House Bill 602 would give production companies a tax credit for hiring Montanans, and for certain expenses, like food and lodging.

A bill that would reinstate tax incentives for filmmakers shooting in Montana isn’t dying without a fight. House Bill 602 would give production companies a tax credit for hiring Montanans, and for certain expenses, like food and lodging. The bill was resurrected after being tabled in committee. Then it died on a vote on the House floor only to be reconsidered and passed on a preliminary vote today 53-to-47. It now needs a final vote in the House.

Democratic Rep. Bridget Smith of Wolf Point said during the first floor debate, recorded by the legislature, that it would help Montana businesses thrive.

"It’s like a grocery store coupon," says Smith. "It encourages you to enter the store, even if you don’t buy the ten cans of soup, you bought the cookies."

Republican Rep. Alan Redfield of Livingston opposes the bill.

"This is tax credit for millionaires from Hollywood," says Redfield.

Since it’s a revenue bill, it’s facing a Friday deadline to move over to the Senate.

Cole Grant is a reporter with the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Broadcasters Association and the Greater Montana Foundation.