[KHTS] – A film tax credit aimed at making California more competitive passed with a 72-0 vote Wednesday, according to Lisa Johnson, legislative aide for Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita.

Assemblyman Scott Wilk

Votes were still being tallied during an open session Wednesday afternoon, so the final tally could have a higher count, Johnson added.

Assembly Bill 1839, also known as the California Film and Television Job Retention Act, passed off the Assembly floor. Wilk is a principal co-author and strong supporter of the expansion and extension of the film tax credit, he said in a statement Wednesday.

“The expansion of the film tax credit is a necessity to keep the iconic film industry in our own backyard,” Wilk said. “This unique industry will continue to serve as an economic resource as long as we support the industry and keep California competitive.”

The bill could have a big impact for Santa Clarita, with the city enjoying more than $30 million of economic support to local businesses from the television and film industry.

Last year, more than 300 productions that applied for the film tax credit were waitlisted and unable to receive benefits to keep their business in California, according to a statemnet from Wilk’s office.

The California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act extends the incentive program for an additional five years; includes a 5 percent increase in the tax credit for filming done outside the Los Angeles Zone; offers a 25 percent credit for television shows relocating to California in the first year and modifies the requirement from 75 percent of production days having to occur in California to 75 percent of principal photography days having to occur in California, all in order to ensure more jobs are created here.

AB 1839 will now move to the Senate for deliberation.

The 38th Assembly District encompasses Simi Valley, the northern section of the San Fernando Valley and most of the Santa Clarita Valley.