LANSING – Save one bill, the House and Senate respectively signed off on a legislative package on Wednesday positioning Michigan to aggressively pursue on-location work on films, televisions series, documentaries and other entertainment productions.

At the centerpiece of six types of incentives are refundable tax credits, meaning businesses would get checks from the state even if they otherwise owe no taxes, and credits of 40 percent for costs of Michigan workers and 30 percent for non-Michigan workers.

A $20 million limit applies to credits for investments in facilities, but there is no limit or sunset on the credits for employee costs.

In the Senate, the main bill in the package (SB 1168 ) was held up for a final vote until Thursday while some lingering concerns are considered, such as the refundable credit.

An attempt by Sen. Nancy Cassis (R-Novi) to strike the nonrefundable credit provision was soundly rejected by a 5-15 vote. Ms. Cassis said the provision is unfair to other businesses.

“Refundability is categorically unfair,” she said. “In giving money away, what about all of the small businesses that right now are seeing new Michigan Business Tax liability that in some cases is a 300, 400, or 500 percent increase? How would those businesses see a giveaway at their expense?”

Sen. Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) said the package tries “to put Michigan in a competitive position. The current incentives are not aggressive enough.” He said the bills would put Michigan more on a par with states like Connecticut and New Mexico, which became the site of new Sony sound stages after it approved new tax benefits.

Allen said refundable credits are part of the packages that other states offer and should be included if Michigan is to be competitive.

Sen. Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) added the incentives for Michigan workers will help create good paying jobs in the film industry. “This package collectively represents the best deal in the nation,” he said.

Over in the House, lawmakers applauded each other for working in a bipartisan fashion. The refundability issue was not brought up.

Rep. Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale) said, “Film production companies are chomping at the bit to get into our state and start filming. Moving quickly on this plan will reel in the film industry in time for its big spring push, which will in turn bring film production jobs to our state and give our local economies an immediate boost.”

Both the House and Senate bills are identical and it doesn’t appear the decision has been made on how they may be broken up between the two chambers, if at all. Both bodies are expected to move on each other’s bills before legislative spring breaks.

The House bills passed unanimously were HB 5841 , HB 5842 , HB 5843 , HB 5844 , HB 5845 , HB 5846 , HB 5847 , HB 5848 , HB 5849 , HB 5850 , HB 5851 , HB 5852 , HB 5853 , HB 5854 , HB 5855 and HB 5856 . The Senate bills sent to the House were SB 1169 , SB 1170 , SB 1171 , SB 1172 , SB 1173 , SB 1174 , SB 1175 , SB 1176 , SB 1177 , SB 1178 , SB 1179 , SB 1180 , SB 1181

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