Olympia has heard you!  We are pleased to report that SB 5539 is still in play.

SB 5539, the bill to renew the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program, was passed out of the Senate with a vote of 40 to 8 on February 14th.  The bill proceeded to the House where it successfully passed out of the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Housing with a vote of 8 to 1.  The bill was then referred to the House Ways & Means Committee where it failed to have a hearing before the bill cutoff date of February 27th.

Our legislative team in Olympia worked hand-in-hand with elected officials to get SB 5539 included in the proposed Senate budget, which was released this morning.  Because the bill is included in the proposed budget, it is now considered NTIB – or necessary to implement the budget.  This means SB 5539 is no longer subject to the previous cutoff date.

The next hurdle is to get the bill to the floor of the House of Representatives for a full vote.  There are many different avenues that the bill could take at this juncture.  We are working with our supporters in Olympia to identify the most efficient and effective path.

In anticipation of a vote on the floor of the House, it is imperative that Representatives hear from their constituents. Please write and call today to express your desire to have the bill voted on before the end of session.  We encourage you to use the toll-free Legislative Hotline in Olympia (1-800-562-6000) as well as the IndieClub website (www.IndieClub.com/wasupport) to contact members of the House of Representatives.