Film industry gets help from Sanford

South Carolina's sagging film industry will get a boost with legislation signed into law by Gov. Mark Sanford.

The bill, which provides financial incentives for crews to film in South Carolina and to employ local talent, was one of nine bills signed by Sanford on Monday.

Although some major Hollywood films have been shot in the state -- including "The Big Chill," "Forrest Gump," and "The Patriot" -- the number of movies filmed in South Carolina has dropped off in recent years. Film officials say no complete feature films were shot in the state in 2003.

Under the law, filmmakers who spend at least $1 million in the state can get a 5 percent rebate on payroll taxes for South Carolina workers, a larger share of the admission tax collections and a break from sales and accommodations taxes.

Another bill signed by Sanford deals with nursing home licensing. It prohibits a person who has been convicted of a crime related to the practice of nursing home or community residential care facility administration to be licensed to work in a facility.

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