Senate Bill 22 has it all: Star-studded campaigns featuring Oscar winners like Renée Zellweger, visits to Capitol hearings from the “alright, alright, alright” man himself, and backing from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The bill has Texan actors playing the part of lobbyists to increase film incentives in the state. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down:
💰 SB 22 Would Double the Amount of Money Texas Spends on the Film Industry
A total of $500 million for media production would be deposited into the new Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund every two years until 2035 if Senate Bill 22 is approved. Film incentives in Texas come in the form of cash grants, allowing the state to reimburse production companies via rebates.
🤔 Where Does the Bill Stand Now?
The Texas Senate passed the bill in March and it’s nearing the House floor, after being reported favorably out of the House's Culture, Recreation, and Tourism committee.
🎥 The Case for SB22.
Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, says subsidizing the entertainment industry is “one of the best returns on investment of any industry that could come to the state.” Film productions go all over the state – not just into big cities – and end up impacting the local economy, she said.
Before the state adopted incentives in 2007, Musslewhite said there was a flower shop in Bastrop that nearly closed before a film shoot came to town, bringing the shop more business than it had in an entire year.
⭐ Could Texas Be the New Hollywood?
So many movie and television series are already being made outside of California, and Musslewhite feels like there's momentum that could get the Texas incentive bill over the finish line.
“I think people want a new home for the entertainment industry and I really think Texas is gonna step in and be that home,” she said.
