(BISMARCK, N.D.) – Members of North Dakota’s Finance and Tax Committee will hear two bills Wednesday, January 28th to provide incentives for film/TV productions and to provide a full-time employee tasked with regulating and promoting the industry within the state.
“These are smart bills that can do a lot of good for the state of North Dakota while asking relatively little,” prime sponsor of the legislation, Representative Marie Strinden, D-Grand Forks said. “As of now, we have absolutely no resources available for production companies looking to work in North Dakota and we have very limited resources for in-state filmmakers, why shouldn’t we take steps to simply promote more, creative business.”
The two bills would accomplish the following:
- HB 1420 provides a 14 percent tax credit to production companies who pay North Dakota residents to work on film and TV productions. The credit is limited to the first $50,000 spent only on ND resident compensation and has a maximum financial return to production companies of $6,500.
- HB 1422 provides the North Dakota Department of Commerce $170,000 to establish a full-time employee position and discretionary budget for two years. The position will focus on organizing, regulating, and promoting North Dakota film and TV industry. The discretionary budget will focus on support to in-state filmmakers, building infrastructure and promote the state’s industry.
In 2014, a seven-month call log provided by the North Dakota Department of Tourism showed filmmakers, production companies, universities and industry media sought information about the state’s film and TV industry.
“The need is there, and these bills will not only provide the incentive to bring more business, but also enhance the first class film industry already working and growing in North Dakota,” Strinden said.
Both Minnesota and Montana provide similar incentives and have laws in place to regulate the film industry in their respective states. Representative Strinden is the lone sponsor on both bills.
WHO: Representative Marie Strinden, D-Grand Forks
WHAT: Committee Hearing on HB 1420 & HB 1422
WHEN: Wednesday, January 28th at 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. respectively
WHERE: House Finance and Tax Committee, Fort Totten Room
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