funds for public improvements within that TIF area. In addition, the Chamber helped protect the use of eminent domain used to implement important economic development programs, including transformative programs like the MAPS initiative. As an economic development organization, the Chamber focuses on protecting incentive programs used to recruit, retain and expand businesses in our region. We also advocate for the expansion of targeted programs that will stimulate growth in emerging sectors such as tourism and film. During the session, all critical economic development programs were protected from being repealed or watered down. One such incentive program that is already law is the Tourism Development Act (TDA), which allows developers of tourism projects to receive a partial rebate of state sales tax it generates for a limited period when at least 25% of revenues come from out-of-state visitors. A House bill the Chamber supported in 2023 to raise the annual cap on the TDA from $15 million to $30 million passed in the House and Senate just prior to the end of session. There were some doubts the bill would successfully advance through the legislative process this session. However, during the final weeks of the session, the TDA bill language was instead inserted in a Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget bill that lawmakers subsequently passed. The bill was sent to the governor and is awaiting his signature. The Chamber also supported amendments to the “The Filmed in Oklahoma Act” this session that changed the eligibility date upon which filmmakers could obtain incentives for film productions. The previous date was July 1, 2023; however, the date was changed to make it retroactive to April 1, 2023. The date change was a critical factor in one studio’s decision to begin shooting scenes in Oklahoma City in May for a major motion picture. Gov. Stitt signed the legislation on May 22.
The Chamber supported or opposed many other bills this session that impacted business and industry, including: • Stopping all legislation to interfere with the rights of business owners and event hosts to prohibit firearms, including legislation to allow firearms at the Oklahoma State Fair. • Supporting legislation to raise the annual cap on the state’s Film Rebate program from $30 million to $80 million. Although the bill passed the House, it was never heard in the Senate. The legislation will remain alive for consideration in 2024. • Protecting funding for the Heartland Flyer passenger rail service, which is essential to the Chamber’s effort to connect OKC to Amtrak’s network through Newton, Kan. • Defeating a House bill that would have eliminated the option for holding local special elections during certain months of the year, including December. In determining when to hold an election, it is essential that maximum flexibility be provided to local government. • Stopping costly/burdensome data privacy legislation, and legislation to interfere with ACCESS Oklahoma, the state’s 15-year, $5 billion plan to expand and make safety improvements to its turnpike system. For additional details on these and other legislative efforts, visit okcbusinessadvocate.com.
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