1. (1) There is hereby established the Kentucky Film Leadership Council. The council shall be administratively attached to the Kentucky Film Office established in KRS 154.12-280.

2. (2) The functions and purposes of the council shall be to:

   1. (a) Review all applications for tax incentives under KRS 141.383 and Subchapter 61 of KRS Chapter 154;
   2. (b) Review all related documents presented by the office;
   3. (c) Make a final decision at a meeting held at the call of the chair regarding whether to authorize a tax incentive agreement if the cabinet's economic analysis supports the project. The cabinet shall be responsible for negotiating, preparing, and executing tax incentive agreements under this section;
   4. (d) Recommend policies and standards for the Kentucky Film Office;
   5. (e) Develop comprehensive film industry strategies in partnership with the Cabinet for Economic Development, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, and the Education and Labor Cabinet;
   6. (f) Partner with local and regional film offices, production studios, and relevant workforce training programs in Kentucky; and
   7. (g) Conduct a nationwide search for the executive director of the Kentucky Film Office and make decisions regarding hiring and compensation. The salary of the executive director of the office shall not exceed two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($225,000) and shall be exempt from KRS 64.640.
   8. (a) The council shall consist of the following seven (7) voting members:
3. (3) 1. 2. 3. 4. The secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development or his or her designee; The secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet or his or her designee; The secretary of the Education and Labor Cabinet or his or her designee; and Four (4) members who shall be appointed by the Governor as follows: a. film production from Kentucky representatives
4. (2) Two companies; b. One (1) representative from a film profession, including but not limited to producers, actors, production accountants with film industry experience, or film financiers; and c. One (1) representative who is the head of a local or regional film commission.
5. (b) All members appointed by the Governor under this subsection shall have knowledge of or experience in the Kentucky film industry. After the expiration of their initial terms, the appointed members shall serve a term of four (4) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy that occurs shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. All members appointed by the Governor shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate as provided in KRS 11.160.
6. (c) A majority of the members shall appoint the chair from among the members of the council.
7. (d) Members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses.
8. (e) The council shall meet at the call of the chair, but not less than quarterly.
9. (f) A quorum shall be a majority of the membership of the council.
10. (g) A member of the council shall not be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the execution of any obligation duly authorized by the council.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 194, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2026. -- Created 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 91, sec. 2, effective July 1, 2025. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/1/2025). 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 91, sec. 8, reads as follows: "Notwithstanding subsection (3)(b) of Section 2 of this Act [this statute], the initial terms of the Kentucky Film Leadership Council members appointed by the Governor shall be staggered as follows: (1) One representative of a Kentucky film production company shall serve a one- year term; The other representative of a Kentucky film production company shall serve a (2) two-year term; (3) The representative of a film profession shall serve a three-year term; and The representative who is the head of a local or regional film commission (4) shall serve a four-year term."