Although Wisconsin isn't exactly a state with a thriving film industry, a new bill in the state Legislature may soon change just that.

Film Wisconsin, or Senate Bill 563, proposes to supply tax incentives to agencies related to the film industry. The bill, forms of which are already in place in 35 other states, is intended to attract producers and therefore spur economic growth in Wisconsin.

"We currently have no movies being made here," said Shawn Lundi, spokesperson for bill author Sen. Ted Kanavas, R-Brookfield. "There is no incentive to make people choose Wisconsin. Ultimately they choose a state that has an incentive program."

The incentive program would include, among many other tax breaks, tax credits of 25 percent to producers investing in Wisconsin-based products and a 15 percent state income tax to artists that are Wisconsin residents.

The bill, expected to be passed as early as spring, has garnered support from both Democratic and Republican parties.

"We're confident because it's a bipartisan issue," Dave Fantle, a spokesperson for Visit Milwaukee, said. "We could have lights, camera and action as early as this spring."

The bill is expected to be on Gov. Jim Doyle's desk within the next four to six weeks.

According to Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, Doyle has written a letter in support of Film Wisconsin, and all indications are that the governor will sign it.

"[The bill] has such a broad base of sponsorship," Lawton said. "It's something that is just incredibly smart. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose. It's only going to bring revenue into the state."

Despite the vast bipartisan support, there is some opposition.

The Tax Foundation, a Washington D.C. think-tank that performs non-partisan research on tax issues, opposes the use of such incentives.

"There's been this scramble by lawmakers to do something," Foundation Staff Economist Andrew Chamberlain said. "Our view is that this is bad policy because it gives a special tax exemption that isn't available to other companies. In general, our view is that the best way to attract a business is to have a tax system that treats all firms fairly."

Chamberlain instead suggests Wisconsin encourage the writing of screenplays based in the area in order to receive benefits of the film industry.

But supporters insist the bill is beneficial to Wisconsin because of the current lack of industry altogether.

"People opposed to incentives say we're taking away from the treasury," Lundi said. "But right now, no one's making movies here. So it's a net gain for the treasury."

In addition to movies, Wisconsin could see growth in all areas of the industry such as pre-production, video games and television shows. Additionally, there would be more activity in the state than ever before, according to George Tzougros, director of the Wisconsin Arts Board.

This activity is expected to harvest huge benefits for Wisconsin, especially from an economic standpoint.

"[The film industry is] a $40 billion industry we need to get a part of," Lawton said. "Fifty percent of a film budget stays where it's produced."

Lawton said reports have estimated revenues of $125 to $600 million in other states due to the film industry's influence.

Wisconsin's incentives would be competitive with states that already have a flourishing production industry such as North Carolina, Louisiana, New Mexico and Illinois, Fantle said.

"Illinois is worried about our incentives topping theirs," Fantle said. "Our incentives would be among the best being crafted and would put us on par to compete with those states to do that kind of business."

It's a business that could dramatically change Wisconsin's work force.

One of the broadest goals of the bill is "to create jobs, and the right kind of jobs, for the 21st century," Fantle said, adding the "film industry is the industry for the 21st century."

"With a lot of manufacturing jobs leaving Wisconsin, entertainment is the largest industry we have," said local film producer Scott Robbe of Mondo Productions.

Robbe said almost 20,000 jobs were created in a small region of North Carolina strictly related to the influence of film.

"The most important thing is that we get it done," Lawton said. "I am absolutely confident that we will wonder why we didn't think of this earlier."