Texas to increase funding to state film incentive program by $300 million

A bill increasing the amount of money the state spends to attract film and television productions to Texas has been sent to Gov. Greg Abbott after lawmakers agreed to lower what had originally been proposed at the start of the year.

Senate Bill 22, filed by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, would allow the comptroller to deposit $300 million into a new Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund every two years until 2035. The Senate's version of the bill would have deposited $500 million every two years until 2035. However, the House amended this version of the bill to lower it to $300 million, which was accepted 23 to 8 by the Senate.

Currently, the state provides $200 million every two years for film incentives, funding for which has been subject to change every legislative session. SB 22 would not only increase the amount of money, but also make the funding consistent.

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