California lawmakers have advanced a bill to subsidise film and television post-production work, while a separate proposal to support commercial production has failed for this year. The measure aims to stem the loss of editing and visual-effects jobs to rival states and overseas locations, extending California’s efforts to revive a production sector affected by a sharp employment downturn.

AB 2319 would offer refundable tax credits of 35% to 50% for eligible editing and VFX work and passed the Senate Appropriations Committee by five votes to one; it now goes to the Senate floor before an 31 August deadline. Supporters seek $100 million in separate budget funding, with 85% of support reserved for above-average-wage jobs providing pension and health benefits; meanwhile, AB 2403, which proposed $15 million for commercial-production credits of 20% to 30%, was held in committee.