Film production incentives passed

Production film companies are included in the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act (LOMED) under a bill passed by the Legislature March 30.

LOMED authorizes incorporated cities and villages to appropriate local sales and property tax dollars – if approved by local voters – for economic development purposes.

Under LB863, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash, LOMED will include the production of films, commercials and television programs as businesses that qualify for the program.

Film companies will be required to acknowledge cities where a production was created as well as the state of Nebraska in a production’s credits, unless prohibited by local, state or federal law or regulation. Film companies will be required to provide notice of such projects to the Nebraska Film Office.

Senators passed the bill on a 44-0 vote.