Los Angeles County lawmakers are continuing efforts to revive the local film and television industry, and this week it’s the Board of Supervisors whose attention is being brought to the matter.
The board is set to vote Tuesday to advance a motion regarding local regulatory and policy changes aimed at making it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to film in Los Angeles County. The motion, which can be viewed here, includes proposals for multiple public offices to better accommodate physical production in the area.
The motion outlines strategies to reduce permitting delays, clarify fire safety requirements, digitize contract processes with the Sheriff’s Department, and improve access to filming in regional parks and public lands. It also recommends exploring a public-private Evergreen Fund to sustain long-term industry growth.
Among the proposals, the Board of Supervisors is eyeing assessments on the impact of a one-year moratorium on permitting fees for filming and road use at certain locations as well as county facility use fees.
There are also several larger potential strategies laid out in Tuesday’s motion. The board will vote on whether to command public leaders to review all existing permitting policies, fees, procedures, minimum staffing requirements, and regulations “to identify any areas that can be streamlined or eliminated to improve permitting policies and procedures for productions and reduce costs for productions.”
In a statement Monday, CA United Co-Founder and President Wes Bailey stressed the need for such regulatory changes to be explored in L.A. County.
“If we want to bring filming back—especially for commercials, music videos, and other short-form content,” the statement read. “We need to make it easier to shoot in LA. We support reform of the permitting and regulatory process, and we need the public to support it too. The $750 million state incentive recently passed by the Governor didn’t provide any relief for short-form production. The most immediate way to help these projects, and the thousands of jobs they create, is by reducing costs, shortening timelines, and cutting red tape.”
The Board of Supervisors’ vote comes about two months after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordered city leaders to explore similar options for reviving Hollywood, including reducing or removing certain fees and creating more access to iconic L.A. locations.
Notably, the Board of Supervisors’ motion would direct county officials to work directly with Film LA, which just renewed its contract with the city for five more years despite calls for reform. The organization has previously vowed to modify the new contract with the city and work with officials to streamline processes.
Tuesday’s hearing will take place at 9:30 a.m. PT at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St, Board Room 381B, Los Angeles, CA. Stakeholders can also submit public comment online or watch the hearing live via the Board’s website.
