Momentum in the N.C. House toward extended film and historic rehabilitation credits hit tough curves in last night’s midnight-crossing Senate sessions.
The credits’ future is doubtful.
Before adjourning, the Senate approved a more-than $21 billion budget that included a $10 million grant program to feed the film industry–that level derided by film executives and crew as inadequate, given that the state has paid the industry at least six times that sum in incentive payments in a year.
Related story: Budget includes $10 film grant program
Rep. Ted Davis, the Republican from Wilmington, on Thursday had put forth a more-celebrated proposal, to extend the current film credit one more year (it was set to expire at 2014’s end), though adding some new limitations, like slightly reducing the rebate a film production could get from the state on qualified expenses.
The House approved that amendment and its overall bill in a second reading Thursday and gave final approval Friday so it can go to the Senate.
Related: Film incentive extension receives House support
But Davis Friday morning said he wasn’t sure where it all stood given the Senate’s budget passage and the fact that senators adjourned and left Raleigh. With some unfinished business, the Senate will return in two weeks, and again in November.
But those special sessions would have limitations. Associated rules the Senate adopted in a resolution sent to the House would confine the discussions mostly to veto overrides, Medicaid and the coal ash disposal regulations. Incentives are not mentioned.
The bill with the Davis film amendment also included language to extend the tax credit for rehabilitation of historic properties. The Senate in its late session ended up passing a different bill that would enable local governments to provide grants or loans for such projects. It would also direct the Revenue Laws Study Committee to write an analysis of the historic rehabilitation incentives.
That latter bill, a broad one of 33 pages dealing with various financial topics–House Bill 1224–received favorable votes from area Sens. Thom Goolsby (R-New Hanover) and Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick).
The House is currently in recess and will resume business at 3 p.m.
