(1) The Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law allow various credits against the taxes imposed by those laws, including various motion picture credits, commonly referred to as motion picture credit 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0, and the certified studio credit, to be allocated by the California Film Commission in differing amounts equal to specified percentages of the qualified expenditures of a qualified motion picture in this state. Existing law allows a qualified taxpayer, if a motion picture credit exceeds the taxpayer's tax liability, to elect to assign a portion of the credit to one or more affiliated corporations for each taxable year in which the credit is allowed, as specified. This bill, if a qualified taxpayer is a single member limited liability company that is disregarded for tax purposes, would additionally allow that qualified taxpayer to elect to assign any portion of a motion picture credit to one or more affiliated corporations, as specified. The bill, for purposes of the motion picture credit 3.0 and 4.0, and for purposes of the certified studio credit, would also expand the definition of a qualified taxpayer to include a single member limited liability company that is disregarded for tax purposes. (2) Existing law allows a motion picture credit (motion picture credit 4.0) to be allocated by the California Film Commission on or after July 1, 2025, in an amount equal to 20% or 25% of qualified expenditures for the production of a qualified motion picture in this state, and limits the aggregate amount of the credit that may be allocated for a fiscal year to $330,000,000, as specified. Existing law allows the California Film Commission to increase the credit amount allocated to a qualified taxpayer if specified conditions are met, including if the qualified taxpayer submits a diversity workplan that is broadly reflective of California's population in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and disability status, and a final diversity assessment that includes specified data. Existing law defines a "qualified motion picture" for purposes of these tax credits to include a motion picture that is produced for distribution to the general public that includes, among other productions, a feature with a specified minimum production budget, an independent film, a new television series produced in California, as specified, or a television series that relocated to California. Existing law allows a qualified taxpayer to elect to be paid a refund equal to 90% of the total refundable amount, as specified, if the amount allowable as a credit under the motion picture credit 4.0 exceeds the qualified taxpayer's tax liability for the taxable year, and allows the excess to be carried over, as specified. This bill, with respect to motion picture credit 4.0, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, would revise the definition of qualified motion picture to include live action and animated series with episodes averaging 20 minutes or more, animated films, and large-scale competition shows, as specified. The bill would specify that a television series that completed principal photography on the previous season more than 48 months prior to applying for an allocation of this credit is considered a new television series for purposes of the definition of qualified motion picture, unless certain conditions are met. The bill would increase the credit amount allowed for a qualified motion picture to 35% or 40%, as specified. The bill would additionally increase the amount of qualified expenditures the California Film Commission is allowed to consider when determining the credit amount allocated to a qualified motion picture. The bill would include veteran status and ZIP Code in the diversity workplan and final diversity assessment. The bill would increase the aggregate amount of credits that may be allocated in a fiscal year to $750,000,000, and would revise the allocation limitations for specified qualified motion pictures within that aggregate amount. The bill would additionally correct erroneous cross-references in those provisions. By requiring additional moneys to be paid from the Tax Relief and Refund Account, a continuously appropriated fund, the bill would make an appropriation. (3) Existing law also allows a credit for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2032, in an amount equal to 20% or 25%, or as modified, of qualified expenditures paid or incurred during the taxable year by a qualified motion picture produced in this state at a certified studio construction project. Existing law requires a qualified motion picture, for purposes of this credit, to provide a diversity workplan that includes goals broadly reflective of California's population, in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and disability status. This bill, with respect to the certified studio credit, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, would revise specified provisions of the definition of qualified motion picture, the credit amount allowed for a qualified motion picture, and the total credit amount allowed to be allocated to a television series, as specified, in conformity with the motion picture credit 4.0, as described above. The bill would also end the requirement that a certified studio construction project is produced by a qualified taxpayer that either owns more than 50% of the soundstage or soundstages on which the production is filmed or entered into a contract or lease of 10 years or more. The bill would require the diversity workplan to also include veteran status, and to indicate specified ZIP Code data related to members of the workforce. (4) Existing law requires the California Film Commission to develop an application process for the allocation of the motion picture credit 4.0 and the certified studio credit. Existing law requires the issuance of a credit for any subsequent season for the life of a television series that has been approved and issued a credit allocation under any of those credits. Existing law requires the California Film Commission to limit the amount of credits any recurring television series receives in subsequent seasons to no more than the amount reserved in the prior fiscal year it received the credit. This bill would instead limit the amount of credits received by a recurring television series to the sum of the base year allocation and the product of the base year allocation, the number of subsequent years, and 3%, as those terms are defined. The bill would additionally, for purposes of the motion picture credit 4.0, require a recurring television series to reapply for the credit if it does not request a credit allocation within 18 months from the date of completion of principal photography of the previous season, as specified. (5) Existing law establishes a Career Pathways Program, under the California Film Commission, to fund technical skills training for individuals from underserved communities for entry into film and television jobs. Existing law requires the program to work with nonprofit organizations that have an established record of training and job placement in the entertainment industry, focus on training individuals from traditionally underserved communities, and offer training courses focused on skilled, technical positions, as specified. Existing law requires a qualified motion picture to pay a fee equal to 0.5% of their approved credit amount to the program, and authorizes the California Film Commission to increase the fee amount, as specified. This bill would require the California Film Commission to expand the number of nonprofit organizations that partner with the Career Pathways Program, and would require the California Film Commission to establish an application process for nonprofit organizations to obtain approval as a Career Pathways Program. The bill would require the application meet specified requirements to be approved and would provide criteria for the California Film Commission to consider when approving applications. The bill would require the California Film Commission, before July 1, 2026, to develop criteria to incentivize the placement of trainees from the Career Pathways Program in qualified productions, and for the motion picture credit 4.0, would authorize the California Film Commission to increase the credit amount up to 2% of the credit amount allocated for qualified productions that employ trainees from a Career Pathways Program, as specified. (6) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Sponsored bills
Under existing law, the State Air Resources Board has adopted the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations, which imposes various requirements for transitioning local, state, and federal government fleets of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, other high-priority fleets of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and drayage trucks to zero-emission vehicles, as provided. This bill would exempt emergency telecommunications vehicles owned or purchased by emergency telecommunications service providers that are used to participate in the federal Emergency Alert System, to provide access to 911 emergency services, or to provide wireless connectivity during service outages from specified requirements in the above-described regulations.
Existing law describes the California Interscholastic Federation as a voluntary organization that consists of school and school-related personnel with responsibility for administering interscholastic athletic activities in secondary schools, and sets forth the Legislature's intent regarding the California Interscholastic Federation's implementation of certain policies. Existing law requires the California Interscholastic Federation, on or before January 1, 2023, and on or before January 1 every 7 years thereafter, to report to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature and the Governor on its evaluation and accountability activities undertaken, including, among other things, the status of the health and safety of pupils, coaches, officials, and spectators, including racial discrimination, harassment, or hazing. This bill would add sports-related head injuries, including concussions, and other sports-related injuries and medical problems, requiring medical clearance to resume full athletic participation, including injuries sustained during competitions, practices, and training camps, as reportable information regarding the status of the health and safety of pupils, coaches, officials, and spectators.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (not a policy bill) commemorating the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. It contains historical statements about the adoption of the Declaration, referencing key dates, figures like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, and the document's principles. The resolution has no policy provisions, funding, or direct impact on constituents or laws. It was formally adopted by the California Assembly on June 30, 2025, as a symbolic gesture.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 15, 2025, as California Propane Day. It is a symbolic recognition of the propane industry's contributions to California. The measure does not create new laws or affect regulations; it solely establishes a commemorative date. No specific groups or policies are directly impacted beyond this ceremonial observance.
Maddy summaryACR 67 designates May 10, 2025, as "Stronger Starts for Children Day" in California. This is a symbolic resolution that does not create new laws or programs. It formally recognizes a specific date to highlight children's well-being, without imposing requirements or affecting any specific groups. The measure serves only to commemorate the day through official acknowledgment.
Maddy summaryACR 36 designates the week of May 18-24, 2025, as "Special Districts Week" in California. This ceremonial resolution recognizes special districts - like water, fire, or sanitation districts - that provide essential local services. It has no legal effect or policy changes; it simply encourages public acknowledgment of these districts' roles. The measure directly affects no individuals or entities, as it serves only to highlight existing services.
Maddy summaryACR 23 designates the third week of May 2025 as "Mental Health Peer Appreciation Week" in California. This ceremonial resolution recognizes the contributions of mental health peers - individuals with lived experience who support others in recovery - without creating new laws or funding. It serves as a symbolic acknowledgment by the state, not a policy change affecting services or programs. The bill directly honors mental health peers within California but does not alter existing regulations or provide new resources.
Maddy summaryACR 87 designates May 2025 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month in California. This resolution does not create new laws or impose legal requirements but formally recognizes the importance of raising public awareness about ALS, a progressive neurological disease. It serves as a symbolic gesture by the legislature to highlight ALS research, support for patients, and education efforts during that month. The measure has no direct impact on individuals or existing programs, as it is a non-binding declaration.
Maddy summaryACR 88 designates June 2025 as "Men's Mental Health Month" in California. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impose obligations. It formally recognizes the month for public awareness efforts related to men's mental health. The resolution affects the state government's official calendar and public communications, but has no direct impact on individuals or policies.