Texas House Bill HB873

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 3/18/09
• Voted on by House: 3/26/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 4/9/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/17/09
• Governor Action: 4/23/09
• Enrolled: 4/20/09
• Passed: 4/23/09

Caption

Relating to incentives for the film, television, video, and digital interactive media production industries.

Impact

The changes proposed by HB 873 will likely bolster the local economy by encouraging more production activity within Texas. By attracting a larger variety of projects, the bill aims to increase employment opportunities for Texas residents within the film and media sectors. Furthermore, the emphasis on utilizing Texas residents for productions is expected to enhance the overall economic footprint of these projects, fostering job creation in related industries such as tourism and local services.

Summary

House Bill 873 aims to enhance incentives for the film, television, video, and digital interactive media production industries in Texas. The bill proposes amendments to the existing grant structures by lowering the required in-state spending thresholds for production companies, making it easier for a wider range of producers to qualify for state grants. Specifically, it reduces the minimum spending required for film and television productions from $1 million to $250,000 and for commercials and educational videos from $100,000 to a lower limit, thereby broadening access to potential financial support.

Contention

However, there may be contention regarding the bill's implications for local control and the quality of productions. Some may argue that the amendment to funding structures could lead to a dilution of standards for productions funded by these grants. Furthermore, ensuring that a significant percentage of the production crew remains Texas residents could raise concerns about the availability of skilled labor for larger projects, potentially complicating logistics for production companies that may prefer to hire experienced crews from outside the state.