Public Act 291 of 2011

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• Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) on July 13, 2011, to revise the state film incentive program, converting it into a straightforward subsidy program rather than an indirect one, with awards of up to 30 percent of the expenses a film producer incurs in Michigan. Reportedly the bill’s sponsor wants to increase the subsidies from $25 million already appropriated in 2012 to $100 million annually.
  • Referred to the Senate Economic Development Committee on July 13, 2011.
    • Reported in the Senate on November 3, 2011, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Substitute offered in the Senate on November 3, 2011, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described. The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on November 3, 2011.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Bert Johnson (D) on November 3, 2011, to require quarterly reports on film subsidies to be posted on the internet. The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on November 3, 2011.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Bert Johnson (D) on November 3, 2011, to require the name of each film producer who gets a subsidy to be disclosed, plus the amount. The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on November 3, 2011.
• Passed 34 to 4 in the Senate on November 3, 2011, to convert the state film incentive program into straightforward handouts to producers, rather than indirect ones paid through the expiring Michigan Business Tax, with payments of up 32 percent of a producer's Michigan payroll expense, plus some additional subsidies. For 2012, $25 million was appropriated for these subsidies, but nothing in the bill limits how much the Michigan film office can authorize, and once it does the state is obligated to pay. Reportedly the bill sponsor wants to increase the annual payouts to $100 million.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Received in the House on November 3, 2011.
  • Referred to the House Commerce Committee on November 3, 2011.
    • Reported in the House on December 1, 2011, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Substitute offered in the House on December 14, 2011, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on December 14, 2011.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Vicki Barnett (D) on December 14, 2011, to also grant subsidies for commercial advertisement producers. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 14, 2011.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on December 14, 2011, to require assessments of the film subsidy program to include the "negative impact of the tax monies taken from businesses and citizens" to pay for the subsidies to film producers. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 14, 2011.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Mike Shirkey (R) on December 14, 2011, to not pay subsidies to a producer that exceed estimates of how much tax revenue the state can expect as a result of the film being produced here. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 14, 2011.
• Passed 92 to 15 in the House on December 15, 2011, to convert the state film incentive program into straightforward handouts to producers, rather than indirect ones paid through the expiring Michigan Business Tax, with payments of up 32 percent of a producer's Michigan payroll expense, plus some additional subsidies. For 2012, $25 million was appropriated for these subsidies, but nothing in the bill limits how much the Michigan film office can authorize, and once it does the state is obligated to pay. Reportedly the bill sponsor wants to increase the annual payouts to $100 million.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Received in the Senate on December 15, 2011, to concur with the House-passed version of the bill. Passed 35 to 3 in the Senate on December 15, 2011.
  Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
• Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on December 21, 2011.