89R14654 DNC-F
By: Bumgarner H.B. No. 5508
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Film Academy to
facilitate workforce development in the state's film, television,
and digital media industries.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "academy" means the Texas
Film Academy.
(b) The legislature finds that:
(1) the establishment of the academy is essential to
the support and growth of film, television, and digital media
industries in this state; and
(2) success of the academy will aid this state in
becoming a destination for film, television, and digital media
productions.
SECTION 2. Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 485B to read as follows:
CHAPTER 485B. TEXAS FILM ACADEMY
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 485B.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Academy" means the Texas Film Academy established
under this chapter.
(2) "Commission" means the Texas Workforce
Commission.
(3) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
(4) "Institution of higher education," "public junior
college," and "public technical institute" have the meanings
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Sec. 485B.002. PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to
facilitate the development and delivery of higher education and
workforce training in the film, television, and digital media
industries in this state necessary to address the growing demand
for skilled crew members in those industries, create jobs, foster
economic growth, and strengthen the state's appeal as a destination
for film, television, and digital media productions.
Sec. 485B.003. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION. (a) The Texas
Film Academy is established to facilitate the creation and offering
of specialized higher education and workforce training programs in
film production, post-production, and other related areas of the
film, television, and digital media industries in this state.
(b) In consultation with the coordinating board, the
academy shall operate in partnership with institutions of higher
education and industry leaders in this state's film, television,
and digital media industries to facilitate the offering of higher
education programs and workforce training in the areas described by
Subsection (a).
(c) The academy is administratively attached to the
commission. The commission shall provide administrative support
services, staffing, and facilities necessary to assist the academy
in performing the academy's duties under this chapter.
Sec. 485B.004. GOVERNANCE; BOARD MEMBERSHIP. (a) The
academy is governed by a board composed of nine directors appointed
by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. A member
of the board serves at the pleasure of the governor.
(b) The board's membership must include:
(1) representatives of institutions of higher
education;
(2) a representative of the coordinating board; and
(3) industry leaders in the film, television, or
digital media industry.
SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES
Sec. 485B.051. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT. (a) The academy, in
consultation with industry leaders and representatives of the
coordinating board, public junior colleges, public technical
institutes, and general academic teaching institutions, shall
develop customized curriculum requirements for associate degree
and certificate programs and continuing education courses to
prepare students for jobs in film, television, and digital media
industries that, subject to coordinating board approval under
Section 61.0512, Education Code, if applicable, may be offered by
public junior colleges or public technical institutes.
(b) In developing curriculum requirements under Subsection
(a), the academy and other persons described by that subsection
shall focus on developing curriculum for programs leading to
high-wage jobs in the areas of:
(1) on-set production training;
(2) post-production techniques;
(3) grip and electric training;
(4) costume and set design;
(5) sound engineering;
(6) visual effects and animation; and
(7) project management in film and television
production.
Sec. 485B.052. PARTNERSHIPS WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION. The academy shall seek to enter into partnerships with
institutions of higher education located in regions throughout this
state to offer, both in person and by distance education, degree,
certificate, and continuing education programs and courses
developed by the academy. The academy shall also encourage
institutions of higher education to integrate courses developed by
the academy into any existing degree, certificate, and continuing
education programs offered by the institutions that are relevant to
the purpose of this chapter.
Sec. 485B.053. PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY. The academy
shall seek to enter into partnerships with film studios, production
companies, and industry associations in this state to:
(1) offer internships and apprenticeships that
provide higher education students in this state with hands-on
experience in the film, television, or digital media industry; and
(2) ensure that the customized higher education and
training programs developed by the academy are aligned with
industry workforce needs.
Sec. 485B.054. ADDITIONAL DUTIES. The academy shall:
(1) host job fairs, networking events, and industry
workshops to connect graduates with potential employers; and
(2) provide guidance to entities that partner with the
academy to provide internships and apprenticeships, or that provide
equipment donations to the academy, on the existence of any state or
local tax preferences that may be available to the entities.
Sec. 485B.055. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The academy
may solicit gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private
source for the purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 485B.056. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1
of each year, the academy shall prepare and submit to the governor
and each standing committee of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over higher education or workforce development a
written report that includes:
(1) a summary of the academy's progress and
effectiveness that includes data on enrollment, degree or
certificate program completion, and job placement for individuals
participating in higher education programs or training developed by
or offered in partnership with the academy; and
(2) recommendations for improvements to or expansion
of the academy, including any need for additional funding.
(b) The commission shall include in its annual report
submitted under Subsection (a) not later than December 1, 2030, a
summary of the results and impact of the academy, including a
recommendation on whether the academy should be continued,
expanded, or terminated.
Sec. 485B.057. EXPIRATION. The academy terminates and this
chapter expires September 1, 2032.
SECTION 3. A public institution of higher education that
partners with the Texas Film Academy to offer a degree,
certificate, or continuing education program under Chapter 485B,
Government Code, as added by this Act, shall begin enrolling
students in the program not later than the 2027 spring semester.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.