Latest news with #SB22
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas House approves $1.5 billion plan to attract movie and TV production
The Brief The Texas House approved SB 22, which would boost funding for the state's film and TV production incentive program. The bill allocates $1.5 billion over 10 years, with $500 million distributed every two years through 2025. Supporters say it will bring more high-dollar production to Texas and boost economic development. TEXAS - The Texas House has approved a bill that would significantly increase the amount of tax dollars used to attract movie and television productions to the state. What we know Senate Bill 22 would expand funding for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, which was made to draw more media production to Texas. The Senate passed the bill in April, approving up to $1.5 billion in funding over the next 10 years. SB 22 allocates $500 million every two years through Sept. 1, 2035. While this dollar amount represents an initial budget approval, the final cost could still change. The new funding more than doubles Texas' current investment in film and television production. Supporters say the bill is designed to attract high-dollar productions and help economic growth in Texas. Actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson testified in support of the bill in front the Texas Senate Finance Committee in March. Dig deeper Although Texas is home to many iconic stories, several recent films set in the state have been shot elsewhere. States like New Mexico and Louisiana currently offer more competitive incentives, pulling media production away from Texas. The Source Information in this article comes from the Texas Legislature and previous FOX 4 coverage.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Texas House approves $1.5 billion film tax incentive
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Monday, the Texas House voted 114-26 to pass Senate Bill 22, which provides tax breaks for films shot in Texas. $300 million will be allocated to the program every other year for the next ten years — a cumulative $1.5 billion investment. 'Members, this is (the) make Texas film industry great again bill,' Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi shouted as he started to lay out SB 22 on Sunday night. His loud remarks after the House spent nearly four hours discussion the 'Make America Healthy Again' bill were designed to grab the House's attention. 'This is one of the bills that looks like it's had more different interpretations than I can count, and so I want to be very, very to the point and tell you what this film bill does.' SB 22 has consistently drawn harsh criticism from a wing of the Republican party, highlighted by strong opposition from State Rep. Brian Harrison. From March 6 to Monday at noon, Harrison posted the word 'Hollywood' in 45 separate X posts, many of them saying 'Don't Hollywood my Texas.' 'This is another anti-taxpayer bill in the most anti-taxpayer session in Texas history,' Harrison said in a statement. 'Instead of lowering property taxes, the Texas House just voted to steal billions from hard working Texans to give to liberal Hollywood. This is crony corporatism and not the role of government.' While Harrison didn't speak about the bill in front of the full House on Sunday, State Rep. David Lowe shared his sentiment. 'This bill provides taxpayer-funded incentives to the film and entertainment industry. The same industry that once hailed Harvey Weinstein as a hero and turned a blind eye to his abuse for years,' Lowe said. 'This is also the same industry that trashed us for supporting President Trump, mocked us for standing up for the unborn, vilified us for opposing gender transitions for children and ridiculed our Christian faith at every opportunity.' However, the biggest advocates for SB 22 aren't worried about Texas turning into Hollywood. '[Lowe] mentioned Weinstein and some of the issues that industries in other states have had and the darker direction they've gone,' Chase Musslewhite with Media for Texas, said. 'That's the full reason we're doing this, so we're kind of on the same page here. We really have amazing hopes for Texas to be a leader in this industry.' To qualify for the film incentives, a project must be approved by the Music, Film, Television and Multimedia Office under the Governor's Office. To start on Sept. 1, projects will have to employ at least 35% Texans, going up by five percent every two years. The breakdown for total incentives is as follows for feature films and television: In-state spending between $250,000 and $1 million 5% grant based on in-state spending In-state spending between $1 million and $1.5 million 10% grant based on in-state spending In-state spending over $1.5 million 25% grant based on in-state spending The bill includes similar incentives for digital interactive media projects, reality televisions shows, commercials and instructional videos. Adult films, news, political messages, religious services, sporting events, award shows, class projects and casino-type video games are among the projects prohibited from claiming the tax incentives. The bill also includes incentives for certain subcategories. Films promoting Texas heritage Extra grant for 2.5% of in-state spending Films shot in rural counties (>300,000 population) Extra grant for 2.5% of in-state spending Films which spend at least 25% of budget on in-state post-production Extra grant for 1% of in-state spending Films which employ over 2.5% of crew with Texas veterans Extra grant for 2.5% of in-state spending Faith-based films Extra grant for 2.5% of in-state spending Films shot at a Texas historic site Extra grant for 2.5% of in-state spending Films which partner with higher-education students Extra grant for 2.5% of in-state spending SB 22 had a pair of House amendments, so it heads back to the Texas Senate. If they concur with the changes, the bill will be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk to sign. In future years, Media for Texas hopes to increase funding for the program to the initially proposed $500 million every other year. 'We're really excited to show these legislators that the $300 million is all going to be used up in this next two years, and that in 2027 we come back to session, we can look at upping that to 500 million,' Musslewhite said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to pump up to $500 million into Texas films OK'ed in the House
The Texas House on Sunday passed a bill increasing the amount of money the state spends to attract film and television productions. Senate Bill 22, filed by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, received preliminary approval from the Texas House, 105-34. The bill allows the comptroller to deposit $500 million into a new Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund every two years until 2035. Eligible expenses include Texas workers' wages, meals purchased from local restaurants, and airfare on Texas-based airlines. The actual dollar amount seems subject to change, as Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, the bill's sponsor, suggested it might drop to $300 million based on discussions in committee hearings. 'It could go up to $500 million as they haven't finalized the budget, but the $300 million is what they're discussing,' Hunter told lawmakers. Hunter said SB 22 does not guarantee the film incentive fund $500 million, which acts as a ceiling. 'You already voted for the budget. This money was placed in the budget. That's not this bill,' Hunter told lawmakers. 'This bill provides safeguards on how Texas spends money on film.' Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, a non-profit organization dedicated to boosting the state's film and media industry, said on Tuesday she had heard discussions about decreasing the $500 million amount. Still, as long as it's above $200 million, she said her organization is content. 'This bill makes us competitive with our neighbors so that we wouldn't be losing our stories to New Mexico, Louisiana, and Georgia, but it wouldn't make us competitive enough to open the floodgates,' said Musslewhite. 'About six or seven other states still offer more or have stronger incentives, and I think that works perfectly for Texas. We're not trying to have everybody come here and join the rat race to get more incentives. We just want to be baseline competitive.' This bill has been the subject of commentary and discussion for several weeks now. Critics have been alarmed at the amount of money that would be given to productions and the potential political and local impact Hollywood might have on Texas. 'This bill provides taxpayer-funded incentives to the film and entertainment industry. The same industry that trashed us for supporting President Trump, mocked us for standing up for the unborn, and ridiculed our Christian faith at every opportunity,' said Rep. David Lowe, R-North Richland Hills, who spoke against the bill. 'Now we are expected to trust them to produce family-friendly content and reimburse them $2.5 billion over the next decade. Let's stop the Hollywood handouts.' Others have raised concerns about how the governor's office will determine which productions to fund. The bill gives the governor's office complete discretion over which projects receive grant funding. However, supporters pointed out that many of these things have already been in place, and the bill doesn't stop films from being made; it just provides extra incentives. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas is one of 37 states to offer a film incentive program. However, due to the uncertainty surrounding their incentive program, Texas is far behind states like New York, Georgia, and New Mexico when it comes to Westerns and other film and TV productions. 'There are tons of Texans who live in California and New York, all over the globe, who are pursuing their careers, because those opportunities weren't here in Texas,' said Grant Wood, Co-founder, Media for Texas. 'We have essentially been subsidizing the workforce of these other states. It's all about bringing that workforce home and continuing to create a more robust and diverse economy.' Since 2007, lawmakers have funded the film incentive program at varying levels, with $50 million during one legislative session followed by $45 million the next. A then-historic $200 million came during the most recent session in 2023. The program has boosted economic activity in Texas, producing a 469% return on investment, according to the Texas Film Commission, though economists and some House lawmakers have criticized that metric and denounced film incentives as wasteful spending. SB 22 would make Texas more attractive to producers who have opted to film their projects in other states that have historically offered larger and more stable incentives, according to Musslewhite. The bill has received support from actors like Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, and Dennis Quaid, and creators like Chad Gunderson, who produces the show 'The Chosen,' and Taylor Sheridan, who wrote the movie Hell or High Water. 'I think with the celebrity power we have behind this, once this bill gets passed, it will spread like wildfire,' Musslewhite said, mentioning 10 productions are already interested in shooting in Texas. In addition to pumping more money into film incentives, SB 22 would make smaller films eligible for larger grants. Currently, projects that spend between $1 million and $3.5 million in Texas are eligible for a 10% rebate, and projects that pay more than $3.5 million can receive a 20% grant. The bill proposes a larger, 25% grant for feature films and television programs that spend at least $1.5 million. Texas' film incentive program offers an additional 2.5% incentive to productions shot in certain 'underutilized' or 'economically distressed areas,' as well as to those with veterans who make up 5% of the total paid crew. One of the biggest fears expressed by Republican lawmakers when it comes to this bill is the amount of influence this gives 'Hollywood' executives over Texans when it comes to booking stadiums or parks, closing down roads or streets, and taking up resources, a fear that Musslewhite says is unfounded. 'I have always found this fear interesting because I think it doesn't give enough credit to how Texans operate, how strong we are in our sensibilities, who we are, and how we do business,' Musselewhite said. 'Instead of fearing what Hollywood will do to Texas, we should be enthusiastic about what Texas will implement on the industry.' Disclosure: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
SDPD clears Sexual Assault Evidence Kits backlog for first time in 6 years
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Police Department has reached a significant milestone in its efforts to support survivors of sexual assault. For the first time since 2019, the department has cleared its entire backlog of untested Sexual Assault Evidence Kits (SAEKs). City officials announced the achievement in a press release Wednesday, attributing the progress to investments and improvements in training, technology, workspace upgrades, and improved workflows. LIST: Restaurants opening at Gaylord Pacific Resort The turnaround time for testing SAEKs has dropped to an average of just 45 days, far faster than the 145-day requirement set by California Senate Bill 22 (SB22). As explained by the department, these kits are crucial for identifying suspects, supporting prosecutions and ensuring justice for victims. In 2019, when SB22 mandated more timely testing of sexual assault evidence across California, SDPD had an estimated 1,800 untested kits. The department partnered with Bode Cellmark Forensics in 2020 to address the backlog in three phases: 450 SB22-mandated kits (2016–2019): Completed by December 2021. 1,350 'historical' kits (pre-2016): Completed by October 2024. 873 recent kits (2020–2024): Completed by November 2024. While the contracted lab tackled the backlog, SDPD invested heavily in its in-house capabilities — upgrading lab facilities, acquiring new equipment, and enhancing training for its forensic biology staff. San Diego moves closer to revising controversial ADU regulations In November 2024, SDPD's Forensic Biology Unit officially resumed responsibility for SAEK testing. Since then, the team has completed 129 kits, processing 22 to 23 per month on average — keeping pace with incoming cases and preventing new delays. City leaders credited the Crime Lab team's dedication, along with strong support from the San Diego City Council, for making the achievement possible. For survivors of sexual assault, the efficient testing of these kits represents more than just a number — it's a step toward justice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Matthew McConaughey and other stars testify in House Committee to bring films to Texas
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Actor Matthew McConaughey has become a familiar face at the Texas Capitol. McConaughey previously spoke before state senators to push for film incentive legislation. On Wednesday, McConaughey and other actors brought their support to the House. The Texas House Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism discussed a bill that would increase funding to bring film and television projects to the state. McConaughey and others supported the bill as it was considered in the Texas Senate Committee on Finance last month. SB 22 passed in the full Senate last week. HB 4568, the House companion bill authored by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, would invest $500 million every two years to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund. This benefits film and television projects that are based in Texas and employ Texas workers. Matthew McConaughey and other stars push Senate to make Texas next film haven 'Hollywood does not have a trademark on telling good stories. No patent on that,' McConaughey testified today as he sat alongside fellow Texas-based actor Woody Harrelson. 'I know that we Texans take a bit of pride in being able to tell a good story ourselves, so as we all know, a good story well told is worth telling. So why don't we Texas our Texas and tell some ourselves?' McConaughey provided examples of how Texas film productions have yielded strong returns on investment for Texans. In shooting in-state commercials for Salesforce, he and Harrelson provided over 700 days of work for Texans, including 150 hotel nights, 30 truck rentals, 200 rental van car days, 18 trailer rental days, and 30 car service trips, McConaughey told lawmakers. The Texas Film Commission was established in 1971 by the 60th legislature. It expanded to include the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program in 2007 in order to provide performance-based grants to pictures produced in Texas. The program's funding has grown over the years, never exceeding $95 million until 2023, when $200 million was allocated. This bill would more than double the previous appropriation. Adriana Cruz, the executive director of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, discussed the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program's return on investment at today's hearing. So far, the program has generated $2.52 billion of in-state spending, creating more than 189,000 direct jobs and a 469% return on investment. Texas Senate passes bill to infuse $2.5 billion into film incentive program over next decade Other industry stakeholders who testified included Chris Juen, co-owner of Out of Order Studios. Juen was born in El Paso and spent about 20 years in the Los Angeles studio system. He's now based in Fort Worth, serving as executive producer on the television series, The Chosen, which is filmed primarily in Peaster and Midlothian. 'There's not enough sound stages, there's so much media,' Juen said as he discussed how this bill would help Texas invest in long term production infrastructure, which would attract longer-length projects and outside investors. He says this lack of infrastructure and stability almost pushed The Chosen out of Texas. Amy Bailey, actress on The Chosen, backed Juen and McConaughey's sentiments. She said she's lucky to have landed a Texas-based production that allows her to take care of her children and aging parents in her home state. In addition, Mattie Parker, the mayor of Fort Worth, testified on the importance of the film industry to Texas cities. Since 2015, film projects in Fort Worth have generated over $700 million in economic impact and affected more than 30,000 local jobs, according to Parker. 'The show 1883, which was filmed in the Fort Worth stockyards, spent $44.4 million in the Fort Worth area over a 75 day period, and hired more than 1100 Texas-based crew and 800 Texas cast members,' said Parker, adding that she believes that film and television is the next foundational economy for Fort Worth. 'Why are we making Texas films in other states? We got more areas and more places to do movies and films than any other place,' said Hunter. 'And what this is, is an investment. It's a new industry, and by gosh, it's the right thing to do.' After nearly two hours of testmony, the committee went into recess for members to take part in Wednesday's session of the Texas House. Committee members have not yet voted on whether to advance the bill to the House for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
