Incentives in SB 493 Would do Little to Support Nevada Film Industry Workers

Senate Bill 493 is intended to encourage motion picture production in Nevada. It was introduced on March 29 on behalf of Nevada Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt. Ironically, the sales tax rebates and motor vehicle fee waivers the bill includes would do little to encourage productions to hire Nevada workers. Instead, a film could bring workers and equipment from out of state and still benefit from the incentives.

Because of the declining value of the dollar, productions that just a few years ago would have been filmed in Canada or other countries are now filmed in the U.S. Many states have taken advantage of this situation to pass tax incentives that encourage film production. But most of the legislation passed in other states includes significant incentives to hire local workers; something that SB 493 does not.

"This bill neglects the thousands of Nevada Residents that work in this industry," said Moshe Bialac, Secretary-Treasurer of IATSE District 2.

Members of IATSE Locals 363 and 720, representing Northern and Southern Nevada, respectively, are working with other unions to communicate to the legislature that this bill is bad for Nevada.

The Nevada Senate Way and Means Committee is currently considering the legislation.