A Proposal to Build a Movie Studio in Las Vegas Fails in Nevada Legislature
A proposal to build a movie studio in Las Vegas met its demise in the Nevada Legislature on Monday night as lawmakers rejected a $95 million annual subsidy. Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. had joined forces to back Summerlin Studios, a 31-acre facility that was set to feature 10 soundstages. Despite the bill, AB 238, passing the state Assembly last week, it failed to gain traction in the Senate on Monday.
Sen. Roberta Lange, a supporter of a competing studio project with UNLV, expressed disappointment in the outcome, citing the difficulty in securing funding for new ventures amidst budget constraints in other vital sectors like housing, education, and healthcare. This setback marks the second failed attempt to establish a movie studio in Las Vegas, with the next opportunity not arising until 2027 due to the biennial nature of the Nevada Legislature.
Initially, Sony and Warner Bros. were backing separate projects, with Sony endorsing the Summerlin proposal developed by Howard Hughes Holdings, and Warner Bros. supporting the UNLV project located in the southwest area of Las Vegas. However, Warner Bros. shifted its allegiance to the Summerlin studio in February, aligning with AB 238 introduced by Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui, which aimed to provide a $95 million annual tax credit for film and TV productions at the facility.
Lange’s bill, SB 220, in collaboration with Manhattan Beach Studios and Birtcher Development, failed to advance to a floor vote, further highlighting the challenges faced by competing studio projects. Despite Jauregui’s bill narrowly passing the Assembly, it failed to secure Senate approval by the midnight deadline on Monday, with Lange proposing an economic study amendment that was also left unaddressed.
Reflecting on the failed endeavor, Lange emphasized the need for a comprehensive study to explore alternative solutions that align with Nevada’s priorities and economic interests. The rivalry between the two studio projects further complicated the approval process, with stakeholders recognizing that only one proposal would ultimately succeed.
Governor Joe Lombardo’s non-committal stance on the issue during discussions with Lange on Monday night underscored the challenges faced in garnering support for the studio project amidst competing legislative priorities. A spokesperson for Howard Hughes Holdings expressed disappointment in the outcome, emphasizing the project’s potential to create thousands of jobs in Nevada.
Despite the setback, stakeholders remain hopeful for future opportunities to establish a movie studio in Las Vegas and contribute to the state’s economic growth and entertainment industry.
