Generally revise laws related to MEDIA Act film tax credits
SB 326 revises Montana's MEDIA Act film tax credits, extending them through 2045 and increasing the aggregate credit limit. The bill provides additional tax credits for production companies that hire veterans and enrolled tribal members. It establishes a fee for unused allocated credits, with these funds directed to a new film industry workforce training account to support workforce development. These changes aim to expand job opportunities and encourage investment in Montana's media manufacturing sector.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 13, 2025
Signed May 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB0326_X(1).pdf
→
SB0326_X(2).pdf
·
5 edits
MODERATE
The bill updates the timeline for hiring tax credits to extend through 2045 and clarifies that unused allocated credits can be sold to other entities for a fee designated for film workforce training. It also reorganizes the list of amended statutes and adds specific definitions for 'independent film production' and loan-out company payments to clarify eligibility. These changes aim to provide long-term financial incentives for businesses hiring veterans and tribal members while ensuring funds are available for industry training.
Scope change
The bill's scope is extended through 2045, and the mechanism for utilizing unused credits has been clarified to allow other entities to purchase them.
TIMELINE
Extended the duration of the hiring tax credit program through the year 2045.
FISCAL
Clarified that unused allocated tax credits may be claimed by other entities for a fee, with proceeds designated for film industry workforce training.
TECHNICAL
Reorganized the list of amended and repealed statutes to improve clarity and accuracy.
DEFINITION
Added a definition for 'independent film production' to specify state-certified productions with distinct titles and characters.
MODIFIED
Clarified eligibility criteria regarding payments to loan-out companies and tax withholding requirements.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 29, 2025 · House Apr 25, 2025
How they voted
31–19
Passed
Total votes 50
Apr 29, 2025
D
Democratic18
100% Yea
R
Republican32
59% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
71
Key actions
13
Committee
12
Amendments
1
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
(S) Signed by Governor
upper
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
May 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (31-19)
senate
Apr 25, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (62-38)
house
Apr 25, 2025
Introduced
(H) Returned to Senate with Amendments
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Appropriations
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Appropriations
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) Appropriations
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Taxation
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Taxation
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Taxation
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Committee
(S) Rereferred to Committee - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Taxation
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Taxation
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Taxation
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Greg Hertz
RRepublican
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