Some legislators are hoping to make Missouri a destination for film and concert production.
This week, the Senate Economic Development and Tax Policy Committee held a public hearing on several bills that would provide incentives to attract entertainment business to the state. Similar bills were also heard in the House Economic Development Committee.
One proposal, known as the Show MO Act, would reinstate a tax for certain expenses related to the production of TV and film projects. Missouri’s previous tax incentive for these projects expired in 2013.
At the Senate hearing, Erin Brower spoke in support of the legislation on behalf of Hallmark Media.
“We shot 92 movies in 2022,” Brower said. “Now, the majority of those movies were filmed in Canada, which has a very generous film tax credit. But as more states adopt film tax credits, we shot 9 in the U.S. – North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Hawaii – and so, if Missouri does pass this bill, Hallmark Media will be able to finally consider Missouri as a film production site, which we will be thrilled for.”
Supporters of the bill say Missouri is missing out on major opportunities due to a lack of film incentives. For example, Sylvester Stallone’s TV series “Tulsa King” was originally pitched with the name “Kansas City King,” but the creators ultimately decided to film in Oklahoma.
The last major film shot in Missouri was “Gone Girl” in 2013, according to lawmakers.
Phillip Arnzen, director of legislative affairs for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also testified in support of the incentives.
“We think it’s important to bring the jobs that come along with filming in Missouri, as well as highlighting our state nationally and internationally by making films here,” Arnzen said.
Along with film and TV production, lawmakers are also considering $8 million in incentives for live entertainment events. Proposed legislation would allow an artist to claim a tax credit for rehearsal and tour expenses.
“It is not a secret that Branson really runs on entertainment,” said a representative from the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. “We think this would benefit not just some of our theater owners, but some of our local folks, as well as day-to-day people in the industry. This is going to have a profound effect across the board.”
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