AICP staff recently traveled to Sacramento to advocate in support of Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2403, authored by Assemblymember Sade Elhawary of Los Angeles. The proposed legislation would establish a California commercial production tax credit program designed to incentivize commercial production within the state and help California remain competitive with other jurisdictions offering targeted incentives. Click here to learn more about AB 2403.
From left to right: Sacramento Film Commissioner Jennifer West, Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, David Michael González of AICP
AICP participated in two separate advocacy trips to the State Capitol. The first was as part of a business delegation from Southern California organized by the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA), bringing together business leaders to discuss economic development priorities with lawmakers, including the commercial production tax credit bill. The second visit took place during the annual advocacy days hosted by the Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS), which convenes local film offices and industry stakeholders from across California to engage directly with legislators. In attendance during the FLICS advocacy days were the following Film Commissioners: Juli Johnston of Placer County, Dan Taylor of Riverside County, Jennifer West of Sacramento, Manijeh Fata of San Francisco, Matt Halvorson of San Luis Obispo County, and Bill Bartels of Ventura County, as well as Yetee Osunsanmi, Deputy Director of the California Film Commission. Film commissioners, alongside the AICP, highlighted the importance of supporting on-location production as an economic engine for small businesses, production workers, and communities throughout the state.
From left to right: David Michael González of AICP, Senator Suzette Valladares, San Francisco Film Commissioner Manijeh Fata
The AICP met with 18 staff and legislators from both sides of the aisle representing communities from throughout California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Coast, the Central Valley, and the Inland Empire. Conversations focused on the economic impact of commercial filming, the jobs it supports across numerous crafts and vendors, and the increasing competition from states and countries that actively court commercial projects with incentive programs.
AICP will continue working with legislators and industry partners to advance Assembly Bill 2403 and ensure that California remains a leading destination for commercial production. For questions about AB 2403, contact David Michael González, Vice President, Labor Relations & External Affairs, davidg@aicp.com.