Friday afternoon, the California Senate passed a bill to expand and extend film and TV industry incentives. This bill will provide 330 million dollars in tax credits for the following five years beginning next July. The passing of this bill was put to a vote and was victorious by a landslide - 32 to 2.

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The incentives bill is to be completely passed and cleared by the end of this weekend. Gov. Jerry Brown is then expected to sign the bill, which is expected to be finalized by the middle of September.

There was great anticipation for this bill to be passed after a deal was completed in the past few days between legislative leaders and Gov. Jerry Brown. This particular bill provides "transparency, unprecedented accountability, and can surely result in saving, and or creating jobs in the market", Brown stated.

Senate president Kevin de Leon (D-L.A.), who has been a driving force in shaping and pushing the legislation, was among the first to speak in the Senate on behalf of the bill. He noted that studies show for every job created in the entertainment industry, at least 3 other types jobs are created in the state. 

Not everyone agrees with the passing of this bill. Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Martinez) said she was against the bill because she feels the money could have been better used elsewhere.

Despite Sen. Wolk's point of view the vote showed, the large majority supported the bill and it's passing. It was a bipartisan effort, and had the support from legislators from both northern and southern California - unlike previous efforts to pass various similar bills.

Executive VP of Entertainment Partners Joe Chianese says the $330 million is going to expand the types of TV that the state contracts. Raising the cap on "tent pole" movies will get "larger movies to film here again". "I think it's all good", Chianese states.

"This expansion of the Film and TV Tax Credit is a huge victory for the industry and Californians in general, including the people behind the scenes who make the magic happen - the make-up artists, grips, caterers, dry cleaners, accountants, special effects, you name it", said actress Halle Berry in a statement to press. She goes on to say, "We must do everything possible to keep these creative people fueling our economy".

This bill will allow the industry to maintain and create numerous jobs within the industry, but will also accentuate surrounding or affiliate industries.

The original bill was written by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-L.A.) and Raul Bocanegra (D-L.A), but in the end had wide support from the leadership and members of both chambers.

TagsEntertainment, Film Industry, film, TV, California Senate, Landslide Vote, Tax Credits