ATLANTA (WJBF) – As new bills get introduced into the legislature, state lawmakers in Atlanta are reviewing at tax incentives for projects.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development approves projects that meet the qualifications for the film tax incentive. Last session, there were talks of putting a cap on how many projects could actually receive those tax incentives in Georgia.

“The moment you start putting a cap you scare away your productions,” said State Representative Long Tran. “No one wants to start filming and then realize we may not get the tax credit.”

A production company would have to spend at least half a million dollars in a single year to qualify for the 30% tax credit.

Some lawmakers said restrictions would drive film and TV productions to other states who offer similar incentives like Georgia and hurt the state’s economy.

“We have studios that need their spaces to be booked out because we have smaller studio spaces,” said Tran. “We have had studios open in Valdosta, Gainesville. My priority is to get productions to film back in Georgia.”

“Georgia is a beautiful place, with a beautiful coastline that can match any beach, a great skyline with the city of Atlanta, said Tran. “We have got great farmland that is more countryside. We have it all in Georgia so why not film here in Georgia?”

Lawmakers said the entertainment industry in Georgia has created thousands of jobs and investments, but opponents fear it’s grown too fast, and the state is giving out more than $1 billion dollars in tax credits that could be utilized in other areas like healthcare or education.

The Georgia Department of Revenue oversees the earning and reimbursement of the tax credits.