COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - 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, is 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
been dropping 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.
It also provides incentives intended to help the state
court television commercial production companies.
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.
It also sets up qualifications and requires fingerprint
checks to determine criminal history.
