Louisiana’s film industry just weathered a legislative rollercoaster — and may be stronger for it. In a dramatic turnaround, state lawmakers not only preserved Louisiana’s hallmark film tax incentive during sweeping tax reforms, but also passed SB 232, a forward-looking bill poised to reinvigorate production activity across the state.

The final budget deal, passed by both chambers and now awaiting Governor Jeff Landry’s signature, reduces the state’s annual cap on film tax credits from $150 million to $125 million, and removes the ability to roll over unused credits to future years. But at the same time, SB 232 modernizes the entire incentive structure, eliminating restrictive per-project and per-payroll caps, and boosting the base credit to 25%, with an additional 15% bonus for hiring Louisiana residents — one of the most aggressive local hire bonuses in the country.

“It will modernize the incentive to be more responsive and competitive in the industry,” said State Rep. Emily Chenevert, who helped lead the push for SB 232.

The reforms are arriving just in time. With pandemic disruptions and labor strikes behind it, Louisiana is seeing renewed interest from producers. According to Jason Waggenspack, President of Film Louisiana, phones are already ringing with productions eyeing summer and fall shoot dates. “Of the 10,000 jobs we provide annually, I’m hoping we have 75-80% of the people still on the ground today. I know a lot of the crews are ready to ramp right back up,” he said.

The passage of SB 232 also grants Louisiana Economic Development (LED) broader authority over incentive approvals — a move intended to streamline the process and give the state a more nimble hand in negotiating with studios.

The reforms come as a relief to many in the local industry, especially amid early drafts of the budget proposal that called for eliminating most tax credit programs entirely. Hundreds of film workers and local advocates flooded the Capitol to defend the incentive, and officials in Shreveport, where Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is developing G-Unit Studios, warned that scrapping the program would derail incoming investments.