Despite reports to the contrary, the Film California First subsidy program designed to combat runaway production remains very much alive and headed for enactment. A bill facilitating the initiative briefly stalled in the State Senate due to confusion over its status, according to informed sources. The bill, AB 484, was mistakenly listed as an appropriations measure, requiring two-thirds approval from voting state senators. But in fact, the legislation contained "enabling language" for the program and only needed a simple majority to pass the Senate.
The snafu was subsequently cleared up and the bill garnered Senate approval last week. At press time, the measure was before the State Assembly, where it’s expected to gain passage.
The Film California First program will provide $15 million annually for each of the next three years, to "reimburse state and local [government] agencies for the costs they incur for television and film production in their jurisdictions" (SHOOT, 5/26/00). This will translate into feature, TV, commercial and music video producers realizing certain key savings, including reimbursement of state and federal employee costs related to filming, and local public costs for fire services and non-police safety. For example, the program may apply to costs incurred for California Highway Patrol services that are required in order to film on state highways.
The necessary funds for Film California First were officially allocated on June 30, when the program was included in the 2000-’01 state budget signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis (D-Calif.). However, a companion piece of legislation, AB 484, was required in order to define how the program should be implemented. Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) authored the bill.
Under the program-which is slated to take effect this fall-the government entity where filming occurred can request reimbursement from the Film California First fund, and/or the reimbursement can be requested by the production company. Film California First has the flexibility to apply funds toward filming in any part of California. That means producers can choose the best California locations for their projects. Local communities in turn benefit through the job creation and positive economic impact generated by location shooting.
The Film California First fund will be administered by the California Trade & Commerce Agency’s Office of Economic Development, in concert with the California Film Commission (CFC). The CFC continues to issue free permits and does not charge a location fee for filming on state-owned and -controlled properties.
Gov. Davis proposed Film California First as part of the state budget. The program has received endorsements from several industry groups, including the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP), the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Film U.S., an organization consisting of 196 local and state film commissioners. Film U.S. and the DGA have expressed hope that Film California First will prompt other states and even the federal government to follow suit in some form to help address the runaway issue (SHOOT, 5/26/00).
