A bill to expand California’s annual film and television tax credit program was unanimously passed by the state Assembly Wednesday.

Assembly Bill 1839, by Assembly members Mike Gatto, D-Silver Lake, and Raul Bocanegra, D-Pacoima, extends the state’s annual entertainment industry tax credit program for another five years. The bill also raises the $100 million annual cap, although the legislators haven’t yet announced the final price tag. The bill also allows some television shows and big budget movies to apply for tax credits, categories that are ineligible under the current program.

AB 1839 “will go a long way towards making California more competitive with other state’s programs,” Bocanegra said in a written statement.

With more than 60 lawmakers signing on as co-authors in recent months, passage through the Assembly was expected. But tougher scrutiny is expected in the Senate next month and Gov. Jerry Brown has given no indication whether he supports the bill.

The powerful California Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association oppose the legislation, saying more funding should go to education.

“We believe that funding must be increased for education rather than cut back, which is what tax credits do (to the general fund),” said CTA spokeswoman Claudia Briggs.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who has made job creation a top priority for his first year in office, also supports increasing subsidies for the television and film industry.

“California needs jobs, and this legislation would generate thousands of middle-class jobs across our state,” Garcetti said in a statement Wednesday.

The vote also drew support from the California Film and Television Production Alliance, a group that includes many union workers.

Supporters of the bill argue subsidies offered by competing countries and states are luring away California’s production companies. New York, for instance, offers $400 million annually in subsidies to entertainment companies and has been able to lure a number of television shows.

Studies have offered conflicting analyses of the effectiveness of California’s current program. A report released last month by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office concluded the program is a money loser for the state government.

The same LAO report found that 94 percent of the state’s entertainment jobs are located in Los Angeles County.