2008 House Bill 5843

Facilitate and authorize tax breaks for Michigan film production

Introduced in the House

Feb. 28, 2008

Introduced by Rep. Kimberly Meltzer (R-33)

To authorize an exemption to the law that prohibits state employees from revealing information about how individuals or firms are selected to be the target of a tax compliance audit in cases where revealing the information is necessary to implement granting an array of targeted tax breaks to film companies that shoot in Michigan, in particular business tax and sales tax breaks.

Referred to the Committee on Commerce

March 11, 2008

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

March 12, 2008

Passed in the House 107 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

March 13, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Tourism

March 19, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

March 20, 2008

Amendment offered

To require the Department of Treasury to divulge to the chairpersons of the Senate and House Finance or Tax committees, or the directors of the Senate and House Fiscal Agencies, information in a return, report, investigation or audit that relates to the department’s administration of a particular tax, or information or the parameters that would enable a person to ascertain the department’s audit selection or processing criteria. Public release of the information by committee members or staffers would be subject to the same sanctions that apply to release by department personnel.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 21 to 17 (details)

To authorize an exemption to the law that prohibits state employees from revealing information about how individuals or firms are selected to be the target of a tax compliance audit in cases where revealing the information is necessary to implement granting an array of targeted tax breaks to film companies that shoot in Michigan, in particular business tax and sales tax breaks.

Motion by Sen. Alan L. Cropsey (R-33)

To give the bill immediate effect.

The motion failed 23 to 10 (details)

Motion by Sen. Alan L. Cropsey (R-33)

The motion passed by voice vote

Received in the House

March 20, 2008