2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25104263D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2012
Offered January 8, 2025
Prefiled January 7, 2025
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 38 of Title 58.1 an article numbered 12.2, consisting of a section numbered 58.1-3853.2, relating to local film industry community zones.
PatronWalker
Committee Referral Pending
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 38 of Title 58.1 an article numbered 12.2, consisting of a section numbered 58.1-3853.2, as follows:
Article 12.2.
Local Film Industry Community Zone.
58.1-3853.2. Film industry community zones; local designation.
A. As used in this section, "film industry community" means a community designated by a locality that has a film industry presence or the potential of a film industry presence within the designated area and where such presence drives, or has the potential to drive, significant economic activity. For the purposes of this section, "film industry" includes filmmaking, music video production, recording studios, animation projects, and production work related to these activities.
B. Any locality may establish, by ordinance, one or more film industry community zones. Each locality, or another political subdivision acting on behalf of the locality, may offer unique benefits to film industry businesses, along with related businesses that serve the needs of the film industry, looking to locate within a film industry community zone.
C. The benefits may be provided to businesses, including new residential developments, located in a film industry community zone and may include, but need not be limited to, (i) reduction of permit fees; (ii) reduction of user fees; and (iii) notwithstanding any other provision of law, reduction of any type of gross receipts tax. In addition, local governing bodies are authorized to enter into agreements for the payment of economic development incentive grants to such businesses with payment of the grants conditioned upon the businesses making certain real property or capital investments, creating and maintaining new jobs, or performing or meeting other economic development objectives related to the film industry.
D. The local governing body may also provide for regulatory flexibility in such zone that may include, but need not be limited to, (i) special zoning for the district, (ii) permit process reform, (iii) exemption from ordinances, and (iv) any other incentive adopted by ordinance.
E. The establishment of a film industry community zone shall not preclude a filmmaker from participating in the Governor's Motion Picture Opportunity Fund established pursuant to 2.2-2320 and the motion picture production tax credit available pursuant to 58.1-439.12:03.