Leadership Council Meeting With Speaker Hastert Makes a Difference

"Perhaps most important, runaway production legislation backers now have a powerful friend in Congress: House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). Aides to Hastert said the Speaker became interested in the issue after it was raised at a luncheon he had with a group of Hollywood directors during a visit to California last summer ... "There wasn't time last year" said Mike Stokke, Hastert's deputy chief of staff. "We intend to work to get something done this year."

March 28 Chicago Tribune

DGA Legislative Activity: 2003

As more and more issues that directly impact the livelihood of Guild members have become the subject of debate in the Hall of Congress, the Directors Guild of America has maintained an active federal and state government affairs program aimed at advancing members' economic and creative interests. The Guild's legislative program for 2003 reflects that agenda:

• Runaway Production Legislation. DGA has spearheaded the industry's effort to enact federal tax incentive legislation, in the form of a wage-based credit, to curb "runaway film" film and television production: HR 715, "The United States Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act of 2003," introduced in Congress in February. Bill's sponsors are Congressmen David Dreier (D-Calif.), Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.). Bill currently has 56 co-sponsors and broad bipartisan support. DGA joins coalitions in Illinois and New York in support of state efforts to pass runaway production legislation.
  
  
• Copyright and Creators Rights. The digital age has brought a growing attack on the copyright laws that protect DGA members' economic livelihoods and creative rights from unauthorized copying and redistribution of their films and television programming: Letter sent to all members of Congress voicing strong opposition to bill, introduced by Congressman Rick Boucher (D-Va.), designed to turn back copyright protections. Comments filed with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of the need for a "broadcast flag" to protect digitally transmitted copyrights works. Comments on need for copyright protection also filed with the U.S. Copyright Office. DGA joins the Entertainment Coalition for Free Trade, to fight for strong enforcement of international copyright laws. DGA member LeVar Burton testifies in Sacramento on problem of illegal peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.
  
  
• Media Consolidation. The past 10 years have seen increased creation of mega-media conglomerates who not only control the distribution of product but also have command over the television production marketplace, dramatically shrinking the number of independent producers of prime-time programming for whom DGA members can work: Proposal filed with the FCC calling for 25% independent producer rule for prime-time programming on four major networks. DGA testifies at informal FCC hearing in New York. Met with three individual FCC commissioners and FCC Chairman Powell to press for greater sources of program diversity. We are also members of the Coalition for Program Diversity to address this issue.
  
  
• Health Care. The national health care "crisis," which impacts the Guild health plan and DGA members, is the focus of great attention in Washington where legislative solutions that decrease prescription drug costs, lower medical malpractice liability, and improve access to affordable health insurance and care are sought: DGA monitors and participates in Congressional health care discussions. Guild joins the National Coalition on Health Care, the largest alliance working on health care reform.
  

Related Items:

• DGA PAC Page
• Runaway Production Update
• Mr. Burton Goes to Sacramento

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