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Senate approves rural-targeted film incentives after heated debate
Summary
The Utah Senate voted to pass changes to the state's film production incentive program that prioritize rural counties for rebates. Supporters cited rural economic benefit; opponents called the measure a refundable subsidy that can cost taxpayers. The bill passed on Feb. 15 by a final tally of 20–7 with 2 absent.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 15 approved Senate Bill 49, a film-production incentive package that reserves at least half of rebate activity for rural counties and offers a refundable rebate (sponsor estimated up to 20%) to productions meeting film commission criteria.
Sponsor Senator Winterton described the program as targeted economic development for off-season tourism areas: “We've tried to limit our scope as to 50% of this has to be in the rural counties,” he said, adding the program is…
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