Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Film Rebate topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Budget committee advances film rebate extension with new local-hire and police-cost limits
Summary
The committee voted to forward an ordinance extending the film rebate through June 2032 and tightening the definition of qualified production costs (excluding certain police costs). Industry and labor witnesses urged passage for jobs; staff and supervisors discussed budget limits and possible future waiver approaches.
The Budget and Finance Committee voted to move forward to the full board an ordinance extending the film rebate program and tightening its definition of eligible production costs.
The ordinance (called in during the June 24 hearing) would extend administrative code section 57.8 for the film rebate through June 2032 and refine the definition of qualified production costs to limit rebates for certain police services. Directors and staff described the measure as a micro-incentive meant to attract productions while protecting city resources.
Industry representatives, production workers and unions testified in support. Lorraine Romanger, president of the San Francisco Film Commission, urged the committee to approve the updated program as a way to "generate jobs and income into our city." Joel Reimer of the Screen Actors Guild and other labor representatives described concrete local-business impacts: production catering and small retail sales that flow to neighborhood firms.
Staff from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the budget analyst explained how the rebate would operate within appropriation limits. Entine Matz of OEWD said the office and the budget analyst had reached agreement on recommended adjustments and that the program included local-hiring components and limitations on reimbursable police costs. Committee members debated whether to pursue a waiver approach in the future to avoid recurring budget set-asides; staff said the program must operate within whatever appropriation the board ultimately provides.
A motion from the committee forwarded the film rebate ordinance to the full board. The committee amended a previous reserve direction so that certain funds would be placed in the controller's reserve rather than a board reserve before the measure reaches the full board.
Next steps: The ordinance will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors. Committee members asked staff to return with implementation details and how the rebate will operate within any reduced OEWD appropriation.
