HF 3345

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; allowing Explore Minnesota Tourism to
provide a grant to the Minnesota Film and TV Board; allowing film production
costs reimbursements; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006,
section 116U.26.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116U.26, is amended to read:

116U.26 FILM JOBS PRODUCTION PROGRAM.

(a) The film production jobs program is created. The program shall be operated
by the Minnesota Film and TV Board with administrative oversight and control by the
director of Explore Minnesota Tourism. The program shall make payment to producers of
feature films, national television programs, documentaries, music videos, and commercials
that directly create new film jobs in Minnesota. To be eligible for a payment, a producer
must submit documentation to the Minnesota Film and TV Board of expenditures for
production costs incurred in Minnesota that are directly attributable to the production
in Minnesota of a film product.

The Minnesota Film and TV Board shall make recommendations to the director of
Explore Minnesota Tourism about program payment, but the director has the authority to
make the final determination on payments. The director's determination must be based
on proper documentation of eligible production costs submitted for payments. No more
than five percent of the funds appropriated for the program in any year may be expended
for administration.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) "production costs" means the cost of the following:

(i) a story and scenario to be used for a film;

(ii) salaries of talent, management, and labor, including payments to personal
services corporations for the services of a performing artist;

(iii) set construction and operations, wardrobe, accessories, and related services;

(iv) photography, sound synchronization, lighting, and related services;

(v) editing and related services;

(vi) rental of facilities and equipment; or

(vii) other direct costs of producing the film in accordance with generally accepted
entertainment industry practice; and

(2) "film" means a movie, television show, documentary, music video, or television
commercial, whether on film or video. Film does not include news, current events, public
programming, or a program that includes weather or market reports; a talk show; a
production with respect to a questionnaire or contest; a sports event or sports activity; a
gala presentation or awards show; a finished production that solicits funds; or a production
for which the production company is required under United States Code, title 18, section
2257, to maintain records with respect to a performer portrayed in a single-media or
multimedia program.

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Minnesota Film and TV Board
may make reimbursements of up to 20 percent of film production costs for films that incur
production costs in excess of $5,000,000 in Minnesota within a 12-month period.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for films that begin filming on or
after the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MINNESOTA FILM AND TV BOARD GRANT.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 is appropriated from the special marketing account established pursuant
to Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 6, to the director of
Explore Minnesota Tourism for a onetime grant to the Minnesota Film and TV Board
for the filming of a movie in Minnesota in 2008 and 2009. The grant is in addition to
any payments made for the same purpose from the film production jobs program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 116U.26. This appropriation is available until expended.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end