A House subcommittee unanimously reported HB 20 12, a bill that would allow local governments to create film industry community zones and offer locally tailored incentives to attract production.

Delegate Walker, the bill's patron, said the measure mirrors other local incentive authorities and would not prevent projects from participating in state-level film incentive programs, such as the governor's Motion Picture Opportunity Fund or motion picture production tax credits.

Representatives of IATSE Local 487 and the Virginia Production Alliance and the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association testified in favor, saying local incentives could help Virginia compete with neighboring states and support jobs in both urban and rural areas. "We totally support this bill," Matt Benedetti of IATSE said.

The committee voted 8-0 to report the bill to the next stage of the legislative process.