SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF5205/SF5289, the 2024 Jobs Budget Bill, on a 74-52 vote. The 2024 Jobs Budget Bill includes provisions to support athletes and their families who are participating in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, invest in the Entrepreneur Fund (EFund) to help diversify the Iron Range economy, and provide support services for workers with mental illness and more.
A key piece of the policy package includes HF 4249, a bill authored by Rep. Liz Lee (DFL-Saint Paul), to establish a new office, Explore MN Film, to promote Minnesota as a location for film and TV productions. Explore MN Film will manage the state’s film production tax credit and streamline the state's dealings with film studios and producers to bring good-paying union jobs to Minnesota.
“The passage of this bill means that Minnesota will get a new film office to fuel our economy in many sectors including the creative, hospitality, and building trades,” celebrated Rep. Liz Lee. “In the last decade, the $23.7 million investment that our state made in the film rebate program generated nearly a 5-fold return of more than $108.7 million of in-state spending. A dedicated state agency will be able to do even more when it positions us more competitively against other states. Minnesota now has the potential to attract productions, generate jobs, and ultimately contribute to the cultural and economic vibrancy of our state.”
Explore MN Film will receive:
- $725,000 for initial setup and operations in FY25, with ongoing funding of $525,000 per year.
- $300,000 for a film production jobs program that offers rebates for in-state film, TV, or commercial production costs. This program receives ongoing funding of $300,000 per year starting in FY26.
Video of the House Floor session can be found on the House Info YouTube Page.
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