COLUMBIA - State lawmakers want to sweeten the deal for moviemakers who film in South Carolina, saying bigger incentives could lure a major motion picture to the Palmetto State.

Rep. Shirley Hinson, R-Goose Creek, and 10 other Lowcountry delegation members filed a bill Thursday that would increase the state's rebate on film wages and in-state production expenses from 15 percent to 30 percent. The incentives would remain capped at $10 million for payroll and $7.5 million for goods and services.

"We'd be at the top with this," Hinson said. "South Carolina is a dynamic stop for the motion picture industry."

Last year, the General Assembly doubled and in some cases tripled the incentives by moving them to the 15 percent level. This latest move is just another indication of the nationwide bidding war states are waging to attract Hollywood.

"It was a huge step forward for us, but when you compare South Carolina to other states, you have got to give film companies another incentive to get here," Hinson said.

The legislation mirrors a provision Gov. Mark Sanford and House budget writers tucked inside the state's $6.5 billion spending plan. But budget writers removed the language because it threw the budget out of balance.

State economists project the tax breaks would cost the state $4.5 million, but supporters say major production companies would spend even more while here.

Sanford is a major supporter of the legislation because he said it brings fast cash to the state in the way of economic development. It's also a "clean industry" that doesn't require additional infrastructure, said Joel Sawyer, the governor's spokesman.

"We would like to see a more aggressive bill put in place to attract a major feature to South Carolina," Sawyer said.

Tommy Melton, publisher of Southeast Coast Film Guide, a film industry publication, said the legislation would make the state a major player in Hollywood.

"I talked to (film executives) who said we will get at least four to six feature films out of it," he said.

With its diverse scenery and climate conducive to year-round filming, the Palmetto State won a number of big productions in the last 20 or so years, but the state has seen fewer filmmakers recently as countries like Canada, Romania and New Zealand drew Hollywood budgets with incentives, cheap labor and favorable exchange rates.

Reach John Frank at (803) 799-9051 or jbfrank@postandcourier.com.