Latest news with #TexasMovingImageIndustryIncentiveProgram
Axios
28-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Lawmakers sweeten the deal for Texas-based film and TV productions
Texas lawmakers have approved a major film incentive bill, signaling a long-term effort to make the state more competitive for projects. Why it matters: Senate Bill 22, filed by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, would inject $1.5 billion into a new Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund every two years through 2035 — the biggest support for film incentives in the state yet. Backed by celebs, the bill is a major win for production advocates who say Texas has lost out for too long. Eligible expenses would include wages for Texas workers, meals from local restaurants, and airfare on Texas-based airlines — all of which could be reimbursed through the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program. Driving the news: The Texas House approved the Senate-passed bill over the weekend and it will likely be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it, per the Fort Worth Report. State of play: The proposal originally sought $500 million every two years, but the figure dropped to $300 million following committee discussions. Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi), who sponsored the bill in the House, said he'll keep pushing for the higher amount in future budget cycles, per the Fort Worth Report. Yes, but: Despite the drop, the bill would still mark the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program's biggest upgrade yet if signed by Abbott. The consistent funding would support long-term planning and extended productions, the nonprofit Media for Texas tells Axios. Flashback: Since launching in 2007, Texas' film incentive program has seen inconsistent funding. In 2023, lawmakers didn't overhaul the program but approved a then-record $200 million for the 2024–2025 budget — a major jump from the previous $45 million. Zoom in: Houston saw more than $81 million in film-related economic impact in 2024 — more than double the previous year — with projects like Netflix's "Mo" in Alief and Paramount's "1923" filming in the region, per Houston First. What they're saying: "This bill will enable Texans to take a leading place in this industry," Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, tells Axios. "And instead of this fear of Hollywood coming to Texas, we should look at the opportunity for Texas to be a leader in this industry and spread light in places where industry may not be working. So I think it's just a huge, huge, huge opportunity for Texas."
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
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.
