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House keeps rural film tax credit, removes two‑year sunset after heated debate
Summary
The Utah House voted 55–18 on Feb. 1 to remove the two‑year sunset on the rural portion of the state film production tax-credit program (HB 78), prompting extended debate over whether refundable credits produce durable economic development or mainly benefit large productions.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on Feb. 1 voted 55–18 to remove a two‑year sunset on the rural portion of the state's film production tax‑credit program, keeping the refundable rebate in place for productions that shoot outside the Wasatch Front.
Representative Stenquist, the bill sponsor, said the measure simply removes the sunset and allows biannual review while preserving a program targeted to rural communities. “What this bill does is it simply removes the sunset off of this program,” Stenquist said, arguing the incentive has helped create jobs, spur local spending and build film‑production infrastructure in smaller Utah communities.
Supporters described the credit as a tool for rural economic development. Representative Carol Moss said…
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