HB 2212 — Relating to the promotion of film and television production in this state, including the eligibility of film or television productions for funding under the major events reimbursement program, the creation of a film events trust fund and a film production tax rebate trust fund, the establishment of virtual film production institutes, and the designation of media production development zones.

Summary

Relating to the promotion of film and television production in this state, including the eligibility of film or television productions for funding under the major events reimbursement program, the creation of a film events trust fund and a film production tax rebate trust fund, the establishment of virtual film production institutes, and the designation of media production development zones.

Bill Text

Compared against the Texas statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 3 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 475.0001, Government Code, Section 478.0051, Government Code, Section 485, Government Code.

• CHAPTER 157. VIRTUAL FILM PRODUCTION INSTITUTES Sec. 157.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "institute" means a virtual film production institute established under this chapter. Sec. 157.002. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE. Texas A&M University at College Station and Texas State University may each establish a virtual film production institute to provide educational opportunities for students interested in studying virtual film production and promote student engagement in the development of a virtual film production industry in this state. Sec. 157.003. FUNDING. In addition to any amount the legislature appropriates, each institute may apply for and accept gifts, grants, and donations from the federal government or any other source.

  amended

• Section 475.0001, Government Code

  (3-a) "Film or television production" means the activities necessary to prepare, produce, perform, or present in this state a television program, movie, virtual film, or any combination of multimedia program. (3-b) "Film or television production organization" means an organization that produces a television program, movie, virtual film, or multimedia program, regardless of the manner in which the organization is formed or legally organized. The term includes a production company, a studio, or a production team for a television program, movie, virtual film, or multimedia program.

  amended

• (L-1) a film or television production; (O-1) a film or television production organization;

  amended

• Section 478.0051, Government Code

  (d) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), an event described by Section 478.0001(3)(L-1) may receive funding through the program if a site selection organization selects: (1) a site in this state as the sole site for the event; (2) two or more predetermined locations as the sites in this state for the event; or (3) a site in this state as the sole site for the event in a region composed of this state and one or more adjoining states.

  amended

• CHAPTER 480A. FILM EVENTS TRUST FUND SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 480A.0001. PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a film events trust fund to maximize the preparation, production, performance, or presentation of television programs, movies, virtual films, and multimedia productions in this state and for successful competition with other states for those programs, movies, films, and productions. Sec. 480A.0002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Endorsing county" means a county that contains a site selected by a site selection organization for a film event. (2) "Endorsing entity" means a local organizing committee, endorsing county, or endorsing municipality. (3) "Endorsing municipality" means a municipality that contains a site selected by a site selection organization for a film event. (4) "Event support contract" means a joinder undertaking, a joinder agreement, or a similar contract executed by a site selection organization and a local organizing committee, an endorsing municipality, or an endorsing county for a film event. (5) "Film event" includes the activities necessary to prepare, produce, perform, or present in this state a television program, movie, virtual film, or any combination of multimedia programs or a series of television programs, movies, virtual films, or multimedia programs, for which an endorsing entity seeks approval from a site selection organization to conduct those activities at a site in this state. The term includes any activity related to or associated with the preparation, production, performance, or presentation. (6) "Local organizing committee" means a nonprofit corporation or the corporation's successor in interest that an endorsing municipality or endorsing county authorizes to: (A) pursue an application and bid on the applicant's behalf to a site selection organization for selection as the site of a film event; or (B) execute an agreement with a site selection organization regarding a bid to host a film event. (7) "Office" means the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the office of the governor. (8) "Site" includes one or more sites in this state at which a film event is held. (9) "Site selection organization" means a film or television organization that conducts or considers conducting in this state a film event eligible under Section 480A.0051. Sec. 480A.0003. RULES. (a) The office may adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter. (b) The rules adopted under this section must be prescribed and applied to promote the purpose of this chapter, as provided by Section 480A.0001. (c) The office may adopt rules necessary to accommodate a film event occurring over multiple days, weeks, or years, and in multiple locations across this state. Notwithstanding any other law, to the extent of a conflict between an office rule adopted to accomplish the purposes of this subsection and another provision of this chapter, the rule controls. Sec. 480A.0004. CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER. (a) This chapter may not be construed as creating or requiring a state guarantee of an obligation imposed on an endorsing municipality, an endorsing county, or this state under an event support contract or another agreement relating to hosting a film event in this state. (b) This chapter shall be construed and applied to effectuate the purpose of this chapter. SUBCHAPTER B. ELIGIBILITY Sec. 480A.0051. FILM EVENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING. (a) A film event is eligible for funding under this chapter only if: (1) a site selection organization, after conducting a highly competitive selection process of one or more sites not in this state, selects a site in this state for the film event to be held: (A) one time; or (B) if the film event is scheduled under an event contract or event support contract to be held each year for a period of years, one time in each year; and (2) a site selection organization selects: (A) a site in this state as the sole site for the film event; (B) two or more locations

  amended

• CHAPTER 483. FILM OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION TAX REBATE TRUST FUND SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 483.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Competitive selection process" means the competitive selection process established by office rule for a film or television production organization to use in considering sites for film or television productions. (2) "Film or television production" means a television program, movie, virtual film, or any combination of multimedia programming produced, filmed, performed, or presented wholly or partly in this state. (3) "Film or television production organization" has the meaning assigned by Section 475.0001. (4) "Office" means the Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office within the office of the governor. (5) "Trust fund" means the film production tax rebate trust fund established under this chapter. Sec. 483.0002. RULES. (a) The office shall adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter. (b) Any rules adopted under this section must be designed and applied to encourage and incentivize organizations to select a site in this state to conduct film or television productions. (c) The office has broad discretion in implementing this chapter and in adopting rules necessary for that implementation to allow for the creation of an outstanding and competitive rebate program to attract film or television productions to this state. (d) The office may adopt rules necessary to accommodate a film or television production occurring over multiple days, weeks, or years, and in multiple locations across this state. Notwithstanding any other law, to the extent of a conflict between an office rule adopted to accomplish the purposes of this subsection and another provision of this chapter, the rule controls. SUBCHAPTER B. ELIGIBILITY Sec. 483.0051. FILM OR TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING. A film or television production is eligible for funding under this chapter only if a film or television production organization, after conducting a highly competitive selection process of one or more sites not in this state, selects one or more sites in this state for all or part of the production. SUBCHAPTER C. STATE ACTIONS RELATING TO PRODUCTIONS Sec. 483.0101. DETERMINATION OF INCREMENTAL INCREASE IN CERTAIN TAX RECEIPTS. After a film or television production organization selects a site or sites for a film or television production, the organization shall file an application with the office and supply information the office considers necessary to determine the incremental increases in the receipts to this state from taxes imposed under Chapters 151, 152, 156, and 183, Tax Code, and under Title 5, Alcoholic Beverage Code, in the market area designated under Section 483.0103 that the office determines are directly attributable to the preparation, production, performance, and presentation of the film or television production. Sec. 483.0102. TIME FOR DETERMINATION. The office shall calculate the incremental increase in tax receipts under Section 483.0101 not later than the 60th day after the date the film or television production organization or its designated agent or representative submits the necessary documentation to the office to determine the rebate amount. Sec. 483.0103. DESIGNATION OF MARKET AREA. For purposes of Section 483.0101, the office shall designate for the film or television production a market area where there is a reasonable likelihood of measurable economic impact directly attributable to the preparation, production, performance, or presentation of the production. The office shall include market areas likely to provide venues, accommodations, and services in connection with the production based on the application provided to the office. Sec. 483.0104. MODEL FILM OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION TAX REBATE APPLICATION. (a) The office may adopt a model film or television production tax rebate application form. If the office adopts a model form under this section, the office shall make the form

  amended

• Section 485, Government Code

  and or or → "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. (1-a) ; and (F) a virtual production facility , or institution of higher education, , or institutions of higher education

  amended

• Section 485, Government Code

  : (A) the governing body of ; or (B) resolution or order of an institution of higher education

  amended

• Section 485, Government Code

  or or → , or institution of higher education , or institutions of higher education, , resolution,

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• Section 485, Government Code

  , RESOLUTION, , resolution, , resolution,

  amended

• Section 485, Government Code

  , resolution, , resolution,

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• Section 485, Government Code

  the office determines that the number of media production location designations or number of approved media production development zones at the time of the application are at the maximum limit prescribed by Section 485A.103; or (3) → or

  amended

• Section 485, Government Code

  two → four , notwithstanding Section 151.3415, Tax Code

  amended

• Section 485, Government Code

  second → fourth

  amended

• Section 485, Government Code

  Sec. 485A.253. ENTITLEMENT BENEFITS FOR MEDIA PRODUCTION FACILITY CONSTRUCTION. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a media production facility or any qualified person is entitled to the benefits under this chapter for construction of a media production facility that begins on or after January 1, 2025.

  added

Action History

1. March 14, 2025

   Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism

2. March 14, 2025

   Read first time

3. January 29, 2025

   Filed

Sponsors

• Ben Bumgarner · Primary

Subjects