SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 69
(By Senators Love and Rowe)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study
creating a Film Commission to expand the film industry in West
Virginia.
Whereas, The film industry in the United States is a
multibillion-dollar industry, with less than 20 percent of its
productions filmed in locations generally associated with movie
production, such as Hollywood, California. The remaining
productions are filmed on locations throughout the United States
and around the globe. States such as Maryland, Virginia, North
Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania bring in millions of dollars per
year in revenue from film productions; and
Whereas, Creating a Film Commission to oversee and attract the
film industry to West Virginia could have tremendous impact on the
state in terms of economy, jobs, tourism and education; and
Whereas, Some states which have been successful in generating
revenue from the film industry have film commissions to help
maintain a competitive edge in recruiting film productions; and
Whereas, The creation of a Film Commission would assist the
present West Virginia Film Office by providing direction in seeking
and recruiting production companies to film in West Virginia;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study creating a Film Commission to expand the film
industry in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.