NC H831

Creates a Production Soundstage Grant Fund in the Department of Commerce to provide grants to applicants for constructing soundstages in North Carolina, with a maximum grant of $2,000,000 per soundstage.

Requires the Department of Commerce and North Carolina Film Office to adopt administration guidelines prioritizing soundstages that maximize state benefit based on regional production activity, anticipated utilization, and applicant matching fund contributions.

Establishes application and substantiation requirements including written proposals detailing grant use, economic benefits, historical production evidence, funding stakeholders, and soundstage ownership and maintenance structure.

Appropriates $12,500,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for fiscal year 2023-2024, with up to 5% available for administrative costs.

Program expires July 1, 2028 for funds not yet awarded, and July 1, 2030 for soundstages not placed in service, with Department required to report annually to legislative committees on grants, production companies, and tax revenue.