Timing of California’s $750 Million Film Tax Credit Plan in Doubt as State Budget Cuts Weigh Down Process

As a pair of bills to expand California’s film tax credit passed their first floor votes in Sacramento this week, confidence is high that the much-touted $750 million benefit will soon be on the way for productions that will keep jobs for entertainment workers in Hollywood.

But there isn’t a clear answer on what “soon” means, as the co-authors of the California Film & TV Jobs Act are racing to get their bill past the remaining legislative hurdles and get funding approved. The budget process has been thrown into uncertainty by factors ranging from the Trump Administration’s tariffs to Los Angeles wildfire recovery efforts that have left lawmakers unclear on whether the full amount — about double the current tax credit — will be funded.

State Assembly members Isaac Bryan and Rick Chavez Zb