HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2780

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                Trade & Economic Development

Title:  An act relating to film and video production.

Brief Description:  Establishing a consolidated film permit process system.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dunn, Morris, McDonald and Alexander.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Trade & Economic Development:  2/2/98, 2/4/98 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Van Luven, Chairman; Dunn, Vice Chairman; Veloria, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Ballasiotes; Mason; McDonald and Morris.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, as part of its economic diversification strategies, is directed to promote, market, and encourage growth in the production of films and videos, as well as television commercials within the state.  Since 1995, the state has provided targeted tax incentives designed to reduce the cost  associated with film and video production in the state.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Consolidated Film and Video Permit Processing Task Force is created.  The task force consists of five members: (1) the director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development; (2) two members of the House of Representatives, one from each political caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and (3) two members of the Senate, one from each political caucus, appointed by the President of the Senate.  The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, in conjunction with other state agencies, may provide information and assistance as necessary to the task force.  The task force may appoint technical advisory committees to address the specific issues.

The task force is authorized to:  (1) review the process used by state and local governments to issue permits for film and video production; (2) review the process used in selected states and countries to issue permits for film and video production; (3) make recommendations on a consolidated film and video permit process that can be used in the state of Washington; (4) consult with state and local agencies to identify sites that can be used for making visually recorded productions; and (5) prepare and submit a report to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature with its findings and recommendations by December 1, 1998.  The task force expires February 1, 1999.

The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development must provide administrative and clerical assistance to the task force.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill authorized a city, code city, town or county to establish a consolidated film permit process system designed to reduce the time necessary to obtain necessary permits for film and video production within the boundaries of the local government.  The permit must cover motion pictures, television shows, television commercials, or other visually recorded productions.

The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development was directed to: (1) work with local communities to develop a consolidated film permit processing system; and (2) consult with state and local government agencies to identify sites that can be used for making visually recorded productions.  Information on the identified sites must include terms and conditions on the use of the site.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Anything that we do to speed up the process of issuing permits to film or video production companies will help.  Having a one-stop permit system could lead to additional production in the state.  The original bill will help, but we need to study the issue during the interim and return with a comprehensive approach to help the state's film and video industry.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Dunn, prime sponsor (pro); Suzy Kellett, Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (pro - to substitute); Nevada Thorpe, Coal Train Studios (pro); and Becky Bogard, Washington Motion Picture Council (pro - to substitute).