A new bill filed by State Sen. Paul A. Lowe Jr. seeks to revise the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund to support local productions and promote North Carolina’s attractions, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 301 on March 17 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Film and Entertainment Grant Fund Mods.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill aims to modify the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund in North Carolina, which is designed to encourage film and media productions within the state. It introduces changes to the qualifying expenses and maximum grant amounts for different types of productions. Specifically, the bill sets qualifying expenses for feature-length films, television series, commercials, and independent films, while capping grants at 35% of expenses in tier one or two areas and 25% in tier three areas. The maximum grant amounts are increased to $12 million for feature films, $20 million for a single season of a TV series, $450,000 for commercials, and $2 million for independent films. The bill prioritizes productions that are expected to benefit the state by employing local residents and showcasing local attractions, landscapes, and landmarks. It becomes effective upon becoming law and applies to grants awarded from that date.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Lowe proposed the most bills (14) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Lowe graduated from Bishop College in 1985 with a BA and again from Drew University School of Theology with a DMIN.
Lowe, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 32nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Earline Parmon.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. and Gladys A. Robinson | SB 301 | 03/17/2025 | Film and Entertainment Grant Fund Mods. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Dan Blue, and Gale Adcock | SB 297 | 03/17/2025 | Nursing Fellows & Curric. Support Funds/WSSU. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Benton G. Sawrey, and Eddie D. Settle | SB 317 | 03/17/2025 | Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. and Gladys A. Robinson | SB 283 | 03/13/2025 | Expand Sickle Cell Disease Programs & Svcs. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. and Dana Jones | SB 241 | 03/05/2025 | Funds for Smith Reynolds Airport MRO Hangar. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Gladys A. Robinson, and Michael Garrett | SB 243 | 03/05/2025 | Commuter Rail Study/Piedmont Triad. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 196 | 02/27/2025 | Winston-Salem/Forsyth Co. Planning & Zoning. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 197 | 02/27/2025 | Funds for Smith Reynolds Airport MRO Hangar. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr., Mujtaba A. Mohammed, and Val Applewhite | SB 211 | 02/27/2025 | Reenact the Earned Income Tax Credit. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 184 | 02/26/2025 | System Development Fees/Exemption. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 185 | 02/26/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning/Forsyth Co. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 186 | 02/26/2025 | Funds for Ladder Truck for WS Fire Station 19. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 187 | 02/26/2025 | 32nd Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
| Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 189 | 02/26/2025 | Winston-Salem Civil Service Board. |
