The Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that would bring back West Virginia’s film tax credit that is intended to lure movie industry activity to the state.
House Bill 2096 reverses the 2018 repeal of the same credit. The repeal occurred at a time of budget shortfalls in West Virginia, when lawmakers were forced to cut spending. Now, with budget surpluses, the decision was made to bring the credit back.
The Senate amended the title of the bill, a technical change only, so the legislation will go back to the House of Delegates for final approval.
The Senate made it through the third reading portion of its calendar, and will return this evening to make its way through second and first reading and to receive additional committee reports.
UPDATE:
The Senate concurred in the House amendments to Senate Bill 694 on Wednesday evening, completing action the oil and gas conservation bill.
The bill attempts to strike a balance on the intricacies of drilling rights. The bill establishes a threshold that at least 75 percent of the acreage that operators propose to drill as one unit be under their control, whether the well is shallow or deep. The remainder of rights owners would be subject to terms spelled out by the bill.
The legislation also expands the membership of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission from five to seven members. Those two new members will consist of a royalty owner and an agriculture representative.
The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to await his signature.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 10, at 11 a.m.
Judiciary will meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. and tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in in 208W.
Finance will meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 9 a.m. in 451M.
