California SB186: Income taxes: film tax credits.

What the bill says

An act to amend Sections 17039.4, 17039.6, 17053.95, 17053.98, 17053.98.1, 23036.4, 23036.6, 23695, 23698, and 23698.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to taxation, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget. taxation, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget Income taxes: film tax credits…

From the chaptered text, September 19, 2026:

An act to amend Sections 17039.4, 17039.6, 17053.95, 17053.98, 17053.98.1, 23036.4, 23036.6, 23695, 23698, and 23698.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to taxation, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget. taxation, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget Income taxes: film tax credits. (1) The Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law authorize various credits against the taxes imposed by those laws, including various motion picture credits, commonly referred to as motion picture credit 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0, and the certified studio credit, to be allocated by the California Film Commission in differing amounts equal to specified percentages of the qualified expenditures of a qualified motion picture in this state. Existing law allows those credits to be sold if they are allocated to independent films, as defined. Existing law allows those credits to be carried forward for 9 years in the case that the credit exceeds the tax owed, as provided. Existing law allows a qualified taxpayer to elect to be paid a refund equal to 90% of the total refundable amount, as specified, over a period of 5 years if the amount allowable as a credit under motion picture credit 4.0 exceeds the qualified taxpayer’s tax liability for the taxable …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Marie Alvarado-Gil (R, SD04) · primary sponsor
• Kelly Seyarto (R, SD32)
• Steven Choi (R, SD37)
• Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R, SD19)

Latest actions

1. September 19, 2026: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 344, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 19, 2026: Approved by the Governor.
3. September 10, 2026: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. August 31, 2026: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 75. Noes 2. Page 7041.) Ordered to the Senate.
5. August 31, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 32. Noes 7.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
6. August 31, 2026: Unanimous consent granted to take up without reference to file.
7. August 31, 2026: In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
8. August 31, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
9. August 30, 2026: (Ayes 56. Noes 19. Page 6855.)
10. August 30, 2026: Withdrawn from committee pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.

Votes

• W/O REF. TO FILE SB186 B. & F.R. (Laird) (August 31, 2026): 32 yea, 7 nay, passed
• SB 186 Budget and Fiscal Review Senate Third Reading By GABRIEL (August 31, 2026): 75 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Senate 3rd Reading SB186 B. & F.R. (Wiener) (March 20, 2025): 28 yea, 10 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB186?

SB186 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Income taxes: film tax credits.

What does SB186 do?

In its own words: An act to amend Sections 17039.4, 17039.6, 17053.95, 17053.98, 17053.98.1, 23036.4, 23036.6, 23695, 23698, and 23698.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to taxation, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget. taxation, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget Income taxes: film tax credits…

What is the status of SB186?

Chaptered as of September 19, 2026. Latest action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 344, Statutes of 2026. (September 19, 2026).

Who sponsored SB186?

Marie Alvarado-Gil (R, SD04), with 3 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB186?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB186