CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Justice administration bills that would eliminate the state Film Office and state Film Tax Credit saw movement in both the state Senate and House of Delegates Monday.
The Senate passed the bill (SB 263) Monday morning on a 28-2 vote. There was no discussion before the vote. The House Finance Committee passed a similar bill (HB 4144) on a voice vote Monday afternoon.
A legislative audit determined the credit has produced a small economic benefit, $800,000 a year, for the state since it went into effect in 2007. Of the $49 million used in credits, 43 percent has gone to out-of-state wages. The audit also found the state currently lacks the infrastructure and skilled workforce for production companies to complete an entire project in the Mountain State.
State Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby told House Finance Committee members there were 96 productions in the 10-year period and 58 were ineligible for the credit.
“Our argument is not that there’s no economic benefit but when you look at it–when you look at less than a million dollars a year in economic benefit–this may not be the best use of taxpayers’ dollars,” Ruby said.
Committee member. Delegate Jason Barrett (D-Berkeley), said the credit has produced a lot of positives and IT doesn’t make sense to eliminate it.
“We have a problem in West Virginia where we have been hemorrhaging our population for decades. We have something, maybe in a small capacity, that brings folks into West Virginia and we just want to do away with it,” Barrett said.
He added there were hardly any films produced in Berkeley County before 2007 but there have been many since then. Barrett said he’s talked to some people involved in those productions and they have always had good things to say about West Virginia, helping eliminate the state’s stereotypes. He said eliminating the film office and tax credit is doing a disservice to the state.
The House bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.
A bill passed last year reorganizing the state Division of Tourism gives it the authority to work on film projects.