California Bill to Create Post-Production Tax Incentive Gains Key Endorsement
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The Television Academy has endorsed California Assembly Bill 2319, legislation proposing a new state tax credit for post-production work. The bill, which has already passed two Assembly committees, aims to recapture an estimated $500 million in annual wages and thousands of jobs lost from the state. It specifically includes incentives for music scoring, a first for California legislation.
Facts First
- The Television Academy endorsed AB 2319, a bill to create a 35% to 50% tax credit for post-production work done in California.
- The bill has passed two Assembly committees and is now in the Appropriations Committee, accompanied by a $100 million budget request.
- Statistics indicate California has lost over 4,400 jobs and $500 million in annual wages, a gap the incentive is designed to address.
- The credit would apply to music scoring, covering costs like musicians' wages and studio recording, which is a legislative first for the state.
- A company would qualify by spending 75% of its post budget or $1 million in California, whichever is less.
What Happened
The California Post Alliance (CAPA) announced that the Television Academy has endorsed Assembly Bill 2319 (AB 2319). The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Nick Schultz, would create a targeted tax incentive of 35% to 50% for post-production work performed in California, even for projects filmed elsewhere. At a CAPA town hall attended by approximately 200 people, statistics were presented showing California has lost more than 4,400 jobs and $500 million in annual wages from the sector. The bill has passed the Assembly’s Arts, Entertainment, Sports & Tourism Committee and the Revenue & Taxation Committee and is now in the Appropriations Committee.
Why this Matters to You
If you work in California's film, television, or music industries, this legislation could directly affect your job prospects and wages by making the state more competitive for post-production work. The program may help reverse the outflow of an estimated $268 million in direct wages to post workers. For musicians and related professionals, the bill is notable as the first California legislation to specifically incentivize music scoring, which could mean more local work for recording, mixing, and orchestration.
What's Next
AB 2319's next legislative step is review by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Assemblyman Schultz is accompanying the bill with a $100 million budget 'ask' to launch the program. If the bill advances from Appropriations, it will move to the Assembly floor for a vote. Its passage could lead to a new stream of post-production and scoring work returning to California, though its final form and funding level remain to be determined.