John Williams from ‘Star Wars’ hops on album by Delaware’s Calidore
The Calidore String Quartet, from University of Delaware, landed iconic “Star Wars” composer John Williams on their 2026 album “American Tapestry.”
A Delaware bill creating a film production tax credit cleared its first hurdle May 6, advancing out of the House Revenue & Finance Committee.
Several states offer film and television production tax credits and other incentives to lure projects, often to boost jobs, tourism and visibility.
Delaware does not – at least for now.
The proposal mirrors a recommendation in Delaware’s 5% operational spending growth and accompanying revenue plan, released alongside Gov. Matt Meyer’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, and would put the state in line with most of the country.
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What does the bill do?
Backed by House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, this House bill would create a new film production tax credit for the First State.
Delaware remains one of a few states that does not already have a film tax credit or a similar incentive in place, according to the Dover Democrat.
This means that spending in these sectors – from hotel stays to equipment rentals – is going to other states.
And while other revenue streams have served and continue to serve Delaware well, Harris said, it is also crucial to ensure the state is positioned “for the next generation of economic growth.”
The bill would offer eligible productions – including films, TV shows and video games — a nonrefundable tax credit equal to 30% of qualified expenses, usable against personal income and corporate taxes.
To qualify, companies must show their activities resulted in expenditures more than $500,000 during any consecutive 12-month period. They must also present opportunities to Delawareans to come onboard projects as interns.
Companies must also obtain “an independent audit” out of their own pockets, authenticating eligible expenses. These expenses can include any cost tied back to production, pre-production or post-production that took place within state lines.
These credits would also be transferrable – so long as they are approved by the state Division of Small Business – and can be extended for upwards of five years.
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This bill mirrors a similar proposal included in a presented 5% operational spending growth and adjoining revenue plan.
The plan set aside up to $10 million in new revenue for a film tax credit to spur Delaware’s creative economy, though the actual cost would depend on how many productions apply.
Should this bill become law, the state will have a similar cap at $10 million every year, according to Harris.
This isn’t the first time lawmakers have seen this legislation.
In the hours before last year’s session ended, state Rep. Michael Smith backed a bill that would also establish a film tax credit for Delaware.
Also known as the Delaware Entertainment Job Act, the bill would have also established a 30%, “transferable tax credit for an investment in the state” for qualified productions.
Like its legislative relative, the bill would have required productions to bring First State residents as interns to qualify for this credit, as well as produce an audit of expenditures once production has wrapped.
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Doing this, the bill argued, would spur job creation, artistic ventures and investment in the media industry.
The bill was also assigned to the House Revenue & Finance Committee, but did not advance. Smith signed on as a co-prime sponsor of this latest bill, according to Harris.
Former Rep. Valerie Longhurst introduced a near-verbatim measure to Smith’s bill back in 2022, but it did not make it all the way through the House.
What do lawmakers, Delawareans think?
For the most part, committee members were receptive to the bill.
Rep. Kendra Johnson was enthusiastic about the bill, asking to come on board as a co-signer of the bill.
She pointed to the HBO crime drama series “Task,” whose entire second season is scheduled to be filmed entirely in southeastern Pennsylvania, starting July 6.
Delaware’s neighbor state was reportedly investing $49.8 million into the project – the largest tax credit bestowed by the state to a single production, as reported by WHYY last year.
The projection is also set to create 3,700 jobs and infuse $194.1 million back into its economy.
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Pennsylvania’s current tax credit program offers a 25% to 30% credit to productions that spend no lesser than 60% of their total funds within state lines.
“Imagine the economic growth that is happening there, that could be happening here,” Johnson told the panel.
Others have thrown their support behind bringing a film tax credit to Delaware.
Meyer is one such advocate. He mentioned during his State of the State address that Delaware not offering film tax credits made no sense, considering the latest Superman movie is “literally set” in the First State.
“They should be shooting here,” he said. “We’re just going to let so many other neighboring states soak up all of that Hollywood money?”
Other groups, including the Delaware Arts Alliance and the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association, have also thrown their support behind the bill, Harris said.
What happens now?
The bill will continue to move through the House.
If signed into law, it would take effect starting July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year.
But lawmakers will need to move quickly – they only have until June 30 to have it passed in both chambers. Otherwise, they’ll need to start all over again come next session.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
