Legislation Supporting Domestic Music Production in Film Clears NJ Assembly Committee

Legislation co-sponsored by two Hudson County lawmakers, aimed at strengthening New Jersey’s growing film and digital media industry while expanding in-state economic opportunities, advanced out of the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee on Monday.

Assembly Bill A4382, co-sponsored by Assemblyman William Sampson and Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato, would update the Garden State Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program to require that original music and musical scores created for qualifying productions be produced and recorded domestically.

“Film and digital media productions increasingly rely on original music, yet much of that work is currently produced outside the United States,” said Assemblyman Sampson. “This legislation helps ensure that productions benefiting from New Jersey’s film tax credits also support American musicians and composers.”

While New Jersey has become a major hub for film and television production, musical scoring and recording for those projects is often outsourced overseas. A4382 seeks to better align the State’s tax credit program with domestic workforce goals by encouraging productions to keep music creation and recording within the United States.

“This bill strengthens the intent of New Jersey’s film tax credit program by connecting it to domestic job creation in the creative economy,” said Assemblywoman McCann Stamato. “It is about ensuring public incentives support American talent while continuing to make New Jersey an attractive place to produce film and digital media content.”

The Garden State Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program has played a key role in attracting film and digital media projects to New Jersey. By refining eligibility standards, the bill builds on that success while reinforcing the program’s role in supporting American creative industries.