Texas may soon give other states a true run for their money as legislators make moves to act on a massive expansion to the film industry by way of Senate Bill 22. Filed by Houston Republican Senator Joan Huffman, the bill was passed in March with widespread support from both sides of the aisle in a 23-8 vote. Those who dissented voiced worries about the selection process for productions to receive funding, citing potential allocation bias.
The bill directs the Texas Comptroller to allocate $300 million every two years through 2035 to a Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund, which provides funding to various media such as film, television, video games, animation and much more.
The Texas Film Commission reported a 469% return on investment since the beginning of the film incentive program in 2007, giving a sizable boost to the state economy. For filmmakers and industry workers across Texas, the possibilities of SB 22 suddenly spark new life into the scene.
“This means we can more confidently pitch our coastal scenery, unique architecture and local talent to film and television producers who now know incentives won’t vanish midway through a project,” CEO of Visit Corpus Christi, Brook Kaufman, said of the new deal. “Productions that spend money in our community by hiring local crew, renting equipment, booking hotel rooms or catering from local restaurants can qualify for rebates or bonuses under SB 22, directly boosting the return on investment for choosing Corpus Christi.”
Currently, the Corpus Christi Film Commission offers a 5% grant to local film productions. SB 22 fuels burgeoning hope for expansion and funding for the local scene, as well as for economic boosts from non-local productions looking to do work in the region. While the new benefits offered to the film industry by SB 22 inspire optimism and possibilities for the industry in the Coastal Bend, reaping the rewards of the opportunity would require both community engagement and strong local support in various forms.
What remains for industry workers in the Coastal Bend is to take advantage of what’s in front of them. The Texas Film Commission includes criteria and an application for funding on its site—to be completed 180 days before the production start date—including information on additional bonuses for underutilized areas, veteran employment and more.
“The Governor’s Office retains discretion in awarding grants. Smaller productions may still struggle to qualify, and without continued investment in workforce development, location readiness and support services, Corpus could be passed over for better-prepared cities,” Kaufman said. “SB 22 transforms film incentives from a speculative promise into a state-backed commitment. For Corpus Christi, it’s a chance to convert our coastal, cultural and architectural assets into real economic growth, but only if we build the capacity to compete.”
