Mayor Bass Celebrates Introduction of Federal Film and Television Tax Credit Bill

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement on September 25, 2026, after a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders officially introduced a bill to create a federal film and television tax credit.

"Today, we're seeing the results of the continued advocacy in Washington with the introduction of the federal film and television tax credit bill," Bass said. She said a federal credit is needed so local incentives remain competitive with countries offering larger benefits that have drawn productions out of the United States, noting her work with labor and entertainment industry leaders to expand state-level tax incentives and reduce filming fees locally.

Bass recognized the Motion Picture Association, entertainment labor unions and industry partners who led the effort in Washington and worked closely with her office. She thanked the bipartisan leadership of Senators Adam Schiff and Tim Scott, and Representatives Linda Sánchez, Laura Friedman and Nathaniel Moran, saying she will do everything in her power to ensure the bill is passed into law.

Bass has spent her career supporting film and television production and protecting entertainment industry jobs. As Speaker of the State Assembly, she oversaw passage of the inaugural Film and TV Tax Credit Program, and as Mayor she championed its historic doubling to $750 million. She recently celebrated the passage of two state bills protecting the expanded state tax credit and creating California's first post-production tax credit, and is now fighting for a no-cap state tax credit.

Under Executive Directive 11, filming fees at the Griffith Observatory have been cut by 70%, the Central Library has reopened for filming after more than a decade, and the Port of Los Angeles has halved its filming application review time. LADOT has extended staff hours and pre-approved certain Downtown closures, LAPD has identified assignments that can be waived or reduced, and filming at the Sixth Street Bridge has been restored through a pilot program.

Bass also convened city department heads to accelerate the reopening of the Cinerama Dome by Sony Pictures and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, appointed Board of Public Works President Steve Kang as her liaison to the film and television industry, and established an Entertainment Industry Council and Executive Directive 8.