WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- The NC House passed an amendment this afternoon that may save film incentives in the state for at least one more year.
Rep. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover County) introduced the amendment on the NC House floor this afternoon that would keep film incentives closer to what they are currently at least for the next year. It passed 77-36.
The bill will need to clear some more procedural votes before adoption and heading to the Senate.
The proposal for film incentives included in the proposed state budget is a grant-based program that would cap incentives at $10 million. Davis's amendment would raise that cap to $40 million, and instead of a grant would be instituted as a tax credit.
Davis was brought to tears on the House floor saying he's never worked as hard on an issue as he has the one of film incentives.
“These things that really need to be addressed so we can come back as I said earlier,” said Rep. Ted Davis, on the floor of the house today, “during the long session, and address the film incentive issue.”
His amendment would reduce the current film incentive tax credit from 25 percent to 22.5 percent. It would also require a "Made in North Carolina" logo be attached to the end of any movie or production using the credit.
“We are ecstatic, we are ecstatic, we are looking forward to the study next year that is going to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt and once and for all that the film industry brings thousands of jobs and millions of dollars to the state every year,” said Rep. Susi Hamilton, who also voted for the amendment.
The bill will go on to the Senate for approval. If included in the entire budget it would be voted on again by both houses before going to the Governor to be signed.
