The bill establishes the Wyoming Film Production Rebates Program, which is designed to promote economic development by encouraging film and digital entertainment productions in the state. The program will be administered by the Wyoming tourism board and aims to bolster the visitor economy, create local jobs, and provide training opportunities. It includes provisions for monetary rebates for qualified productions, which are defined as films and digital entertainment produced in Wyoming. The program is structured into two tiers, with Tier 1 offering rebates of up to 30% for larger productions and Tier 2 providing up to 15% for smaller projects. The bill outlines eligibility criteria, application procedures, and auditing requirements to ensure compliance.

Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation of $3 million from the Wyoming tourism reserve to fund the program and mandates the tourism board to create necessary rules and regulations by July 1, 2023. It also specifies penalties for fraudulent claims and requires the board to report on the program's expenditures and benefits to the state. The bill amends existing law to reflect the new program and its administration, replacing references to the Wyoming business council with the Wyoming tourism board in relation to film production incentives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9-12-1002