Legislature(2015 - 2016)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/26/2015 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB15 | |
| SB47 | |
| SB39 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 39 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 39-REPEAL FILM PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT
2:11:22 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SB 39. "An Act repealing the film production
tax credit; providing for an effective date by repealing the
effective dates of secs. 31 - 33, ch. 51, SLA 2012; and
providing for an effective date."
2:12:15 PM
SHARON HAWN, representing herself, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 39. She reviewed the history of film production
in the state including her involvement, and offered her belief
that the bill intends to eliminate the program altogether.
2:19:19 PM
JACY PETERSEN, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 39. She explained that she is a
CPA who conducts audits for the film tax verification and she
has seen that the tax credit program brings business to the
state and jobs for Alaskans.
2:21:58 PM
TESS WEAVER, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in opposition to SB 39. She talked about her personal experience
and professional training in film production and said she
doesn't want to leave Alaska to continue to pursue her career.
The money she receives is recycled through local businesses. She
asked the committee not to take away what she and others have
worked so hard to create.
2:23:33 PM
MICHAEL COLLIER, Random Acronym, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 39. He spoke of the all-Alaskan project he is
undertaking and said that without the tax incentive all the
money has to be returned to investors and the 70 jobs will
disappear. He said that films could be a billion dollar industry
for Alaska and would provide security in the current fiscal
crisis. He cautioned against killing an industry that could help
to diversify the economy.
2:26:10 PM
LEVI TAYLOR, Crooked Pictures, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 39. He spoke of wanting to be an inspiring
filmmaker since middle school. His first successful film won
major awards in Hollywood and he was offered opportunities to
stay there and continue to work. However, because of the film
incentives he was able to return to Alaska. What he noticed is
that the industry has grown impressively in a short time. He
urged the committee not to kill a rising industry that offers
diversity.
2:27:27 PM
LAURA LIMKINS, Epicenter Productions, Eagle River, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 39. She reviewed her 25 year
history with the industry in Alaska that includes developing an
educational series about perpetuating Alaska languages and
culture. She pointed out that eliminating the film tax credit
won't do away with the reality shows, but it will do away with
the large productions that come to the state. She urged the
committee to think about how the film tax program diversifies
the economy and strengthens its foundation.
2:29:19 PM
MARY WASCHE, representing herself, Eagle River, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 39. She recounted her story as a
senior citizen who is trying to become a fiction writer. She was
at the signing stage when this legislation stopped the project.
She pointed out that keeping the film incentive program will
allow creative writers to present the state as it really is, not
as it's being depicted by reality shows. She said the numbers
show that this program is a tiny portion of Alaska's serious
budget deficit, and keeping the program could bring growth and
dollars to the state.
2:31:57 PM
DEBORAH SCHILDT, President, Alaska Film Group, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 39. She said she has
worked in the industry for 30 years and the state's current
fiscal crisis is brought on in part by its lack of economic
diversity. It didn't happen overnight. She cited data from the
2013 Feature Film Production Report to refute the prior
testimony from the Manhattan Institute claiming that Alaska's
film program didn't pencil out. The figures show that
substantial numbers of jobs and revenue come to states that have
a film incentive program in place. She emphasized that the key
is to have a program that is in place and that is where Alaska
has to stay if it wants to compete. Breathtaking scenery is no
longer enough; locations are trumped by economic realities. She
urged the committee not to shut the door on diversity the state
needs today and in the future.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Ms. Schildt to send a copy of the 2013
Feature Film Production Report and she would distribute it to
the committee.
2:35:07 PM
BOB CROCKETT, General Manager, Piksik, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 39. He talked about recently being
in the field with a crew of 20 Alaskans filming in Talkeetna and
outside Whittier. He said Piksik invested millions in the film
industry because they had a commitment from the state for 10
years. Last session the time to realize a return on those
investments was reduced from 10 years to 4 years. With the
introduction of SB 39 they're looking at a sunset on July 1,
2015, which is a daunting challenge for any business. He opined
that the answer to the state's current fiscal crisis is
diversification and the film industry is on the right track to
provide that. Governor Walker's actions suspended the program,
but if SB 39 passes it will be permanently closed.
2:37:59 PM
MAYA SALGANEK, UAF Film Program, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 39. She refuted the testimony from the
Manhattan Institute and talked about the number of her students
who are actively employed in the film industry. She pointed out
that film makers prefer to hire local, trained talent and the UA
Regents consider the UA film program to be of high importance.
She said if we want Alaskans to take the lead in developing 21st
Century high tech jobs in media communication, then maintaining
the tax incentive program is the first step.
2:41:56 PM
NATALIA LAMONT, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 39. She related her experience
writing scripts and working on a set, and expressed hope that
she would see a film produced in the Yupik language with Native
actors in her lifetime. She asked the committee to keep the film
incentive program alive.
2:45:10 PM
IRENE BEDARD, President, Sleeping Lady Films Waking Giant
Productions, testified in opposition to SB 39. She emphasized
that keeping the film credit is an affirmative move for the
state. She described films that highlight Native life and
culture and opined that it would be a shame to export that to
Canada.
2:49:41 PM
KEN LANDFIELD, representing himself, Homer, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 39. He questioned how eliminating the tax
credit program will help the state treasury to any substantial
amount. The Governor already suspended the program and
eliminating it will do nothing but harm. He urged the committee
not to kill the program.
2:52:02 PM
JAMES WALKER, Walking West Entertainment, Los Angeles,
California, testified in opposition to SB 39. He talked about
traveling the state in the last two years to explore the
economic and commercial climate to better understand how to work
hand-in-hand with Alaska entrepreneurs, educators, and artists
to utilize the tax incentive program to generate a viable and
profitable motion picture industry that can help incubate other
technology driven industries. He said Alaska can be more than
just a film destination by establishing jobs in the post-
production phase of the motion picture and television process.
These high skill jobs can last up to two years and include film
editing, visual effects, animation, music scoring, data
management, software development, engineering, and programing.
MR. WALKER said that contrary to testimony from the Manhattan
Institute, post-production companies are training local Alaskans
in permanent jobs that will ensure not only their economic
vitality but that of their families, communities, and the state.
2:57:26 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO requested that individuals contact her office
before calling from offnet locations to testify on SB 39 on
Tuesday 3/3/15.
[SB 39 was held in committee.]