A California bill that would loosen the eligibility requirements and expand the benefits of the state’s film and television tax credit program was passed by the State Senate in Sacramento on Tuesday, clearing a key vote as lawmakers look for ways to halt and reverse the decline of production jobs for entertainment workers in the Golden State.

Senate Bill 630 passed its floor vote with 34 state senators voting in favor of the bill with only one vote against. The bill moves next to the State Assembly, which is set for a floor vote on its version of the program expansion, Assembly Bill 1138, this Thursday.

Combined, the two bills have been named the California Film and Television Jobs Act by its authors, which include several Los Angeles-based legislators like Hollywood Asm. Rick Chavez Zbu

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