CA SB144

Requires qualified taxpayers applying for motion picture tax credits to provide additional workforce diversity data to the California Film Commission, including ethnic and racial makeup of employees, and requires independent film applicants to describe voluntary programs to increase minority and women representation.

Increases motion picture tax credit allocations by $15 million for fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23 exclusively for relocating television series, and by $75 million for the same fiscal years exclusively for recurring television series.

Establishes a new tax credit for taxable years 2022-2032 equal to 20-25 percent of qualified expenditures for motion pictures produced at certified studio construction projects (new or renovated soundstages with at least $25 million in construction costs), with up to $150 million total available and a $12 million per-season cap.

Requires studio construction project certification to include prevailing wage compliance or project labor agreements, skilled and trained workforce requirements, and ongoing operational maintenance standards at prevailing wage rates (90 percent requirement for full credit eligibility).

Requires California Film Commission to submit annual diversity reports to the Legislature beginning January 1, 2022, and changes the Legislative Analyst's Office report due date to May 1, 2023, with additional workforce diversity reporting due May 1, 2025.