2023 Incentive Bill / Call To Action / News Update

IATSE 490 legislative committee chair and member of the MN Film Board board of directors, Brian Simpson, reports that the film industry had a great hearing Friday (3/10), in the House Economic Development Finance and Policy committee. The committee later passed the House Bill 2059 in the House Economic Development Finance Committee unanimously.  This is the 1st of 5 steps this bill needs to become law. Local 490 thanks everyone who was able to be there in person.  The turnout from our community was incredible, and we believe that made a huge impression on the committee members and showed them how important this tax credit is to our community. The chief author of the bill, Rep Dave Lislegard, with a Monster energy drink in hand, led a great lineup of testifiers. 

490’s Brian Simpson with Rep Dave Lislegard, (photo provided by Brother Simpson)

Testifying before the committee was; Rep. Lisegard, MN Film Board director Melodie Bahan, Teamster lobbyist Hannah Allstedt, Michelle Scott of the Chisholm Inn & Suites and our Brian Simpson of Local 490. Three labor orgs came together at the Call To Action event with MN Actors union SAG/AFTRA, transportation’s Teamsters and crew with IATSE. We all lobbied together as a unified labor force.

Casey Lewis of Sag/ Aftra and Hannah Allstedt of the teamsters pose for a picture with Brother simpson, (photo provided by Brother Simpson)

This committee is just one stop on our path. Up next will be a very important stop in House Tax committee. Simpson estimated about 75 crew, vendors or NGOs were at the hearing from the film industry. The date and time for next hearing is still TBD. When it happens we need you all to come back to the Capitol and support us again.

Rep Dave Lislegard working at his committee post (photo provided by Brother Simpson)

On the Senate side our bill has been sent directly to Senate Tax Committee, that hearing date is TBD.