Jan. 10--LINCOLN -- Becoming Hollywood East may be out of reach, but one lawmaker wants to lure more film and TV productions to Nebraska. State Sen.
Danielle Nantkes of Lincoln introduced a bill Tuesday that would offer rebates, income tax credits and sales tax exemptions to encourage film and music projects in Nebraska. Two other bills would expand the reach of previously established tax incentives and economic development programs. Nantkes said the impetus for Legislative Bill 235 is to help Nebraska contend for jobs, investment and spending offered by the entertainment industry.
Building up the state's film and music industry, she said, would offer an avenue to keep creative young people in Nebraska. Nantkes said several states offer tax exemptions and credits for film, TV and commercial productions. Her proposal is modeled after an Oklahoma law.
"This is just an opportunity for Nebraska to start a dialogue about whether we are competitive," she said. LB 235 would offer rebates to companies that film movies, TV shows and commercials in Nebraska and use Nebraska workers. The rebates could be up to 15 percent of the amount spent in the state.
Companies could pass up the rebates in favor of a sales tax exemption. The bill also would allow income tax credits for Nebraskans who invest in Nebraska film and music productions, then reinvest the profits in other state-based projects. The bill would create a Nebraska Film and Music Office within the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Nantkes said the agency already works with filmmakers seeking places in the state to shoot projects. Nebraska has a film office in the State Department of Economic Development, but it is run by a part-time private consultant. Also Tuesday, Sen.
Ray Janssen of Nickerson introduced a bill that would expand the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit Act. The act provides income tax incentives geared to the state's smallest businesses, those with five or fewer employees. LB 177 would remove the $2 million annual cap on the program.
It would allow more businesses to qualify for the incentives by counting more kinds of spending as investments. Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton introduced LB 232 to allow more communities to qualify for Building Entrepreneurial Communities grants.
The measure would lower the cash match required of communities to qualify for the grants. The grants help communities promote business development, build leadership and find ways to attract and retain young people. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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