The extension of the Film and Television Tax Credit has been included as part of the new state budget, and awaits the governor’s signature, California Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Monday.

“This is great news for an iconic California industry and the families involved in film and television production,” Wilk said.

“Including the extension in the budget ensures that California remains competitive for motion picture and television production,” he said. “This program is about more than keeping California competitive, it’s about the quality of life for regular California families.”

Both houses of the Legislature considered measures earlier this year to extend the current sunset of the film production tax credit program from June 30, 2020 to June 30, 2025. The contents of these bills were amended into Senate Bill 871, a budget trailer bill which passed today.

Wilk has been an active supporter of the extension and was an author of SB 951.

“Many of the below the line workers who benefit from extending this successful program live in my district, which is also home to Santa Clarita Studios and Disney Ranch,” Wilk said.

“Before the legislature enacted AB 1839 in 2014, I would hear on a daily basis the hardships people were facing as motion picture production had all but dried up in California,” he said. “Seeing it in the budget makes the extension a reality.”

Trailer bills are policy bills that are considered part of the budget.

SB 871 will now go to Governor Brown’s desk for signature.