AP Story: This Would Work For Iowa

Nebraska film incentives bill for cities advances


Associated Press

A bill that would encourage film crews to shoot against a Nebraska backdrop has cleared a first-round vote in the Legislature.

Lawmakers advanced the measure (LB863) Monday with a 33-0 vote.

The bill by Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash allows cities to use state economic development money they receive to attract film, television and commercial productions.

Coash says the measure lets film crews avoid the bureaucracy that often comes with larger, state-based film tax credit programs. He says the bill will also give Nebraska an advantage over other Plains states, which lack local incentives.

Coash introduced the bill in response to a film project in Valentine, which raised questions about whether cities can use their state money for movie productions. City officials approved $5,000 for local businesses that assisted the crew.