S.B. No. 22 seeks to enhance the Texas moving image industry incentive program by creating the Texas moving image industry incentive fund and establishing criteria for grant eligibility. The bill grants the Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office the authority to deny grant applications if the content is deemed to portray Texas or Texans negatively. It introduces new definitions and eligibility requirements, including a minimum percentage of Texas residents in production crews and specific in-state spending thresholds. Additionally, the bill outlines ineligible projects, such as pornography and political advertising, while establishing a tiered grant structure based on total in-state spending, with additional grants for Texas heritage and rural filming initiatives.

The bill also allocates $300 million biennially to the Texas moving image industry incentive fund, which will be managed by a trust company to ensure wise investment and liquidity for grant disbursements. New grant opportunities are introduced for various types of projects, including Texas heritage and workforce development initiatives, with grants set at 2.5 percent of total in-state spending. The bill allows for multiple grants to be awarded to a single project, capped at 31 percent of the total grants received. Sunset provisions are included, indicating that certain sections will expire on August 31, 2035, and the bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 485.021, Government Code 485.022, Government Code 485.023, Government Code 485.024, Government Code 485.025, Tax Code 151.801 (Tax Code 151, Government Code 485)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 485.021, Government Code 485.022, Government Code 485.023, Government Code 485.024, Government Code 485.025, Tax Code 151.801 (Tax Code 151, Government Code 485)
Engrossed: Government Code 485.021, Government Code 485.022, Government Code 485.023, Government Code 485.024, Government Code 485.025, Tax Code 151.801 (Tax Code 151, Government Code 485)
House Committee Report: Government Code 485.021, Government Code 485.022, Government Code 485.023, Government Code 485.024, Government Code 485.025, Tax Code 151.801 (Tax Code 151, Government Code 485)
Enrolled: Government Code 485.021, Government Code 485.022, Government Code 485.023, Government Code 485.024, Government Code 485.025, Tax Code 151.801 (Tax Code 151, Government Code 485)