Assemblymember Schulz pushes standalone post‑production tax credit to keep jobs in California

Assemblymember Jake Schulz asked the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on June 25 to approve AB 23 19, a bill to create a California post‑production tax credit aimed at retaining editing, sound, visual effects and finishing work in the state. "Without a targeted post production incentive, California risks further losing a critical segment of the entertainment industry supply chain," Schulz said in opening remarks, and said he would accept committee amendments.

The bill’s sponsors and witnesses framed the credit as an economic tool to preserve middle‑class jobs. "Our California membership has shrunk by 15% in the last four years," said F. Hudson Miller, identified in committee as president of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, urging passage so technicians, editors and mixers can continue working in California. Mariela Bounza, president of the California Post Alliance, described post production as "an essential part of the entertainment ecosystem" and urged a yes vote.

Supporters said the measure is narrowly tied to post‑production expenditures and would not allow "double dipping" with the existing motion picture tax credit. Schultz and witnesses emphasized that the credit would be separately funded from the $750 million motion picture tax credit passed in prior years. Committee members asked technical questions about program design and enforcement; several expressed bipartisan support. "I don't see this tax credit as a liability. I see it as an investment," Senator Grayson said.

The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 23 19 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations; the clerk reported the roll call as aye from the committee members present, and the bill was placed "on call" with a 3‑0 tally. The bill will next be considered in Appropriations.

The author and witnesses asked for timely action, with Schulz saying "this bill has to move this year" to keep post‑production, scoring and VFX jobs in California.