TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to prepare a letter in support of Assembly Bill 1839 (Gatto/Bocanegra) also known as the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act.
DISCUSSION
As the Long Beach City Council has recently discussed, the production of film and television industry is of great value to Long Beach and the region. Since 2009, the State Legislature has allocated over $100 million to film and television productions that meet specific criteria. These credits have gone to benefit more that 250 projects and generated an estimated $4.75 billion in economic activity and created more that 50,000 good paying jobs.
Despite the best efforts of the California Film Commission, which administers the program, over 40 other states and international governments have heavily lobbied production companies to abandon California. Across the state, production has heavily declined, resulting in the loss of jobs and economic activity.
The California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act will protect these valuable jobs by extending the life of the program an additional five years; lift the per-film budget cap so that large films may apply for the credit (up to $100 million dollars); allow for all new, one-hour television series to be eligible; stimulate television production by allowing pilots to apply for the credit as well as ensuring more of the production days occur in California.
This legislation has bi-partisan support in both houses and is in line with policy previously discussed by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK O'DOPNNELL
COUNCILMEMBER, FOURTH DISTRICT
GERRIE SCHIPSKE
COUNCILWOMAN, FIFTH DISTRICT
STEVEN NEAL
COUNCILMEMBER, NINTH DISTRICT