LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The spotlight is on two movie studio bills going before Nevada lawmakers, as Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. look for tax credits in exchange for bringing thousands of jobs, new facilities and millions of dollars in investments.
Nevada’s 2025 Legislative Session begins Monday.
FOX5 has told you about the two proposed studio projects: Warner Bros. Discovery will make Las Vegas its next filming headquarters and hub all in partnership with UNLV. A spokesperson said that Warner Bros. Discovery will invest $900 million to build the studios, pledge $500 million of spending annually over 17 years and bring 7,500 jobs a year.
A planned movie campus from Sony Pictures called Summerlin Studios is still “on track,” according to a company spokesperson. The projected said that the economic impact will be $2.85 billion per year.
Both studios’ plans hinge on whether lawmakers pass tax credits.
FOX5 spoke with Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui, the author of the tax credit package for Summerlin Studios. The proposal promises $105 million in tax credits for Summerlin Studios (with $25 million set aside for independent productions).
Jauregui said the bill would mandate that at least half of the 15,000-person annual workforce must be from Nevada.
“This is an industry that’s going to bring good paying, six-figure paying jobs to our state. It’s going to put Nevadans to work,” Assemblywoman Jauregui said. “This is about jobs, jobs, jobs,” she said.
Jauregui and proponents of both bills emphasize the need for more workers and industries to diversify Nevada’s hospitality-dependent economy. Many of the workers in unions across the Valley have jobs that are transferrable to various movie and TV productions.
Others debate the return on investment, or ROI.
For every $1 given in tax credits, how much will the state get back in direct or indirect revenue?
Film productions generate direct revenue for the state from sales taxes and payroll taxes. Productions utilize and hire various other businesses in the community.
Some legislative analysts, insiders or lawmakers express concerns whether the return will be more than the investment, or at least break even.
“You’d be hard pressed to find an economist or an economic development professional who would say this is a great investment. Essentially, they are a negative balance on the general fund,” said Dr. David Damore of UNLV think-tank The Lincy Institute, urging scrutiny if Nevada lawmakers seek to utilize tax credits.
“I look forward to reading through the bill language but on principle – I believe Las Vegas and Nevada are great the way we are, we don’t need to try and be Hollywood 2.0 on the backs of the taxpayers,” said Senate Republican Leader Robin Titus.
Jauregui said she prioritizes fiscal responsibility, as lawmakers look to pass a balanced budget. once we pass the budget.
“If our state can afford to do a film tax credit, I will move forward in full force. But if we get to the point that our state cannot afford it, then our state cannot afford it,” she said.
Both bills are still being drafted.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
