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KentuckySB 12025 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT relating to the film industry.

Sponsored By: Phillip Wheeler (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Effective Dates, DelayedEconomic DevelopmentLabor and IndustryState AgenciesWorkforce

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

New state support for Kentucky filmmakers

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law creates the Kentucky Film Office within the Cabinet for Economic Development. It promotes Kentucky, coordinates local film offices, helps producers follow incentive rules, supports worker training, and provides an information portal. A new seven-member council decides incentive eligibility within 20 days; approval follows a supporting economic analysis by the Cabinet. From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, the office receives 2.5% of state hotel tax collections, capped at $500,000 total. This money pays for staff and operations, and unspent funds carry forward to the next fiscal year.

Earlier incentive access for film companies

Starting with the 2024 allocation, unused incentives reserved for continuous film production become available on April 1 instead of July 1. All approved companies with a motion picture or entertainment production can access that unused balance. The change applies only to unused amounts within the $25 million reserve; it does not add funding.

Film companies pay incentive application fees

Film companies must pay a nonrefundable fee when applying for Kentucky film tax incentives. The fee depends on combined qualifying spending and payroll: $250 below $50,000, $500 from $50,000 through $100,000, and $1,000 above $100,000. The Kentucky Film Office keeps these fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Phillip Wheeler

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Brandon J. Storm

    Republican • Senate

  • Danny Carroll

    Republican • Senate

  • D. Yates

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Gerald A. Neal

    Democrat • Senate

  • Lindsey Tichenor

    Republican • Senate

  • Robert Stivers

    Republican • Senate

  • Shelley Funke Frommeyer

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 152 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/14/2025

passed

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2025

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 77 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 91)

    3/26/2025

  2. delivered to Governor

    3/14/2025

  3. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    3/14/2025Senate

  4. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    3/14/2025Senate

  5. passed 37-0

    3/14/2025Senate

  6. Senate concurred in House Committee Substitute (1)

    3/14/2025Senate

  7. posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1)

    3/14/2025House

  8. to Rules (S)

    3/14/2025Senate

  9. received in Senate

    3/14/2025Senate

  10. 3rd reading, passed 77-8 with Committee Substitute (1)

    3/14/2025House

  11. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 13, 2025

    3/12/2025House

  12. reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1)

    3/11/2025House

  13. to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)

    3/7/2025House

  14. returned to Committee on Committees (H)

    3/7/2025House

  15. 1st reading

    3/7/2025House

  16. taken from Committee on Committees (H)

    3/7/2025House

  17. to Committee on Committees (H)

    3/5/2025House

  18. received in House

    3/5/2025House

  19. 3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)

    3/4/2025Senate

  20. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 04, 2025

    2/27/2025Senate

  21. reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1)

    2/27/2025Senate

  22. returned to Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor (S)

    2/26/2025Senate

  23. 1st reading

    2/26/2025Senate

  24. taken from Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor (S)

    2/26/2025Senate

  25. to Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor (S)

    2/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    3/14/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/17/2025

    PDF

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