The bill amends Section 485.023 of the Government Code, which outlines the qualifications for participation in the moving image industry incentive program in Texas. It establishes that to qualify for a grant, a production company must spend a minimum of $250,000 in-state for a film or television program, or $100,000 for commercials or educational videos. The previous requirement that at least 55 percent of the production crew, actors, and extras must be Texas residents has been deleted, along with the provision that allowed for exceptions if a sufficient number of qualified individuals were unavailable.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that at least 60 percent of the moving image project must be filmed in Texas, and it introduces a new requirement for production companies to submit an expended budget to the office. This budget must reflect all in-state spending and include necessary documentation such as receipts and invoices to accurately determine the amount spent in Texas. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 485.023 (Government Code 485)