BISMARCK (KFGO-AM) - Two bills aimed at helping build the film industry in North Dakota were defeated in the House this week.
One measure would have offered various tax credits to small production companies. Another sought to appropriate $170,000 for the North Dakota Commerce department to promote the state as a film production site.
Represenative Jason Docktor of Grand Forks said one of the measures ran into opposition because a study of similar incentives in other states found the return on investment did not justify the tax incentives.
Prime sponsor Representative Marie Strinden of Grand Forks said the bill didn't not contain the same mistakes. She said the legislation would not only help film and tv creators but generate more business for hotels, restaurants, hardware stores and many other businesses.
Strinden said North Dakota now has no infrastructure to help the film industry and her bill was aimed at fixing that on a small scale.