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Montana Media Act extended but receives no new funding, sponsor says
Summary
Sen. Greg Hertz said the Montana Media Act was extended in 2025 with policy changes favoring Montana-owned firms and facility-size and employment thresholds, but the bill did not secure new funding and film production companies are already exploring other states.
Senator Greg Hertz told City Club Missoula that the legislature extended the Montana Media Act in 2025 but did not provide new funding for the program. He said the updated policy emphasizes Montana-owned businesses and sets eligibility tests such as a minimum of 15 full‑time employees and a 10,000‑square‑foot facility for certain incentives.
"Unfortunately, we didn't get any new money into it. We did extend it," Hertz said, adding that the governor's budget office had not been a strong supporter of increased funding. Hertz described the bill's language as promoting Montana-owned businesses and qualifying production spaces, but said production companies are watching other states for incentives.
Panelists also warned that film production can be mobile. Hertz noted producers sometimes film scenery in Montana and finish production elsewhere; he said that was part of the rationale for clarifying the act's terms. Other forum participants said film-credit programs that lack sufficient funding can prompt projects to move to states with larger or uncapped incentives.
Speakers encouraged continued advocacy for funding the program and said the act's extension keeps Montana in the conversation for on-location and studio production while leaving financing questions to future sessions.
