By: Cyrier (Senate Sponsor - Watson) H.C.R. No. 131
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2019;
May 10, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on
Administration; May 13, 2019, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 13, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, For decades, residents of Bastrop County have opened
their homes, businesses, and properties to film productions of all
durations and sizes, forming friendly relations with industry
professionals and watching with pride as local communities come to
life on television and motion picture screens; and
WHEREAS, The leadership of Bastrop County and the cities of
Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville have adopted film-friendly policies
to ensure that projects operate smoothly, with minimal
inconvenience to residents and businesses; chambers of commerce,
private citizens, local agencies, and school districts actively
support film production and make their homes and facilities
available to filmmakers, understanding the economic impact these
projects have on their communities; moreover, local film
commissions provide workshops promoting dialogue between
production companies and residents; and
WHEREAS, Bastrop County is home to New Republic Studios, a
full service production company encompassing sound stages,
animation studios, and other state-of-the-art facilities; and
WHEREAS, Many residents of Bastrop County proudly support
themselves and their families through work on film projects; among
the professionals who call the county home are writers, directors,
location scouts, actors, accountants, caterers, carpenters,
electricians, and other skilled workers; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Bastrop County and its local communities
welcome thousands of visitors who are following self-guided
sightseeing trails established by the Texas Film Commission; among
the stops on these tours are such famous locations as the family
home in Hope Floats and the Bernie courtroom; and
WHEREAS, Bastrop County residents have spent countless hours
as volunteers supporting films made in their communities; the
county has hosted hundreds of productions, from Academy
Award-nominated feature films such as The Tree of Life to fan
favorites that include Transformers: Age of Extinction and My
All-American; celebrities have received a warm welcome here, from
Julia Roberts, Jack Black, and Troy Aikman, who have strolled
Bastrop's Main Street, to Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain, who have
enjoyed the ambiance of Smithville, to the Clydesdales, who have
paraded through downtown Elgin; and
WHEREAS, Film production companies enjoy the friendly
people, diverse settings, and ample resources of Bastrop County,
and the county is indeed worthy of recognition for its
contributions to the film industry in the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate Bastrop County as the official Film Hospitality
Capital of Texas; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
passed by the legislature.
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