HELENA -- The Legislature is close to finalizing a plan to increase tax breaks for filmmakers, which supporters say would lead to more movies being shot in Montana.

The Senate endorsed the plan on a 30-20 vote Tuesday. It removes the $1 million cap on incentives and increases tax credits originally adopted in 2005 at the urging of Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Supporters said the tax breaks, dubbed "The Big Sky on the Big Screen Act," would not cost the state anything since they predict the incentives would bring many more productions to the state.

"It's a net gain for Montana," said Sen. Don Ryan, D-Great Falls.

Critics said the tax credits don't really work, and will just be giving money to filmmakers that would come here anyway. Sen. Joe Balyeat, R-Bozeman, called it the "big scam in the Big Sky."

Balyeat said the Legislature should instead reduce overall tax rates.

"We keep blowing all our money on these targeted tax credits that don't work," he said.

Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena, said he opposed the movie incentives because a separate plan to give a tax credit to deployed soldiers was killed.

"If I had a choice between a tax credit for deployed military personnel or this, my choice would be pretty clear," Lewis said.

The House has already approved the movie tax breaks, which still face a final vote in the Senate.

Supporters say many of the film productions are run by small companies and provide jobs and bring in big bucks to small communities. They have cited figures from the state Department of Commerce showing production companies spent more money in Montana after the first round of tax credits was approved in 2005.

Montana needs to stay competitive with other states that have increased incentives for filmmakers, supporters say.