A bill to greatly expand efforts to lure film and TV production to Texas has passed the state Senate. On April 17, 2025, Senate Bill 22 received a strong bipartisan vote, passing the upper chamber 23-8. The measure now heads to the Texas House for consideration.
Senate Bill 22 aims to increase funding for in-state film and TV production by creating a new fund to incentivize investments, which will be financed through sales tax revenues. If approved, the fund would boost Texas financial incentives for in-state production to $500 million every two years, a significant increase from the current $200 million.
State Senator Joan Huffman, a Republican from Houston and the bill's author, expressed optimism about the legislation. "It does it for the next decade, which gives certainty to the industry and the investors who want to bring these great jobs to Texas," she stated. This sentiment is echoed by many in the industry who see the potential for significant economic growth.
Among those supporting the bill is State Senator Carol Alvarado, a Democrat from Houston, who noted that Texas had missed out on opportunities to host productions, such as the recent Netflix series about legendary Tejano singer Selena. Alvarado emphasized, "Every time a film or show chooses to shoot here, they're not just creating good jobs for our crews and boosting local economies. They're showcasing our cities, towns, and regions on the global stage. They're putting Texas on the screen and keeping our dollars at home."
The bill also includes provisions that require productions to adhere to certain "family values" to qualify for funding. Additionally, it encourages faith-based productions, a move that has sparked some controversy. Huffman mentioned, "We are really trying to establish a very family-friendly, faith-based filming opportunities that really portray Texans in a positive light and provide great economic opportunities to all Texans."
However, the bill's language has raised concerns among some lawmakers. During a discussion, Senator Donna Campbell, a Republican from New Braunfels, questioned the implications of the family values criteria. Huffman responded that a film failing to meet these standards could have its incentives revoked at any point, even during postproduction. "The Governor's Office has absolute discretion to the bitter end to determine that the final product does not meet the standards that we want to incentivize," Huffman clarified.
One notable dissenting voice is State Senator Sarah Eckhardt, a Democrat from Austin, who voted against the bill. Eckhardt expressed her concerns regarding the subjective nature of the criteria, suggesting that it could lead to uncertainty. "I had high hopes, and continue to have high hopes, for economic development to the film industry in the state of Texas," she said. "But as it is currently situated with so many subjective aspects, it creates uncertainty, so that only very well-funded production companies that can risk losing the subsidy at postproduction or a subgenre of films that are politically palatable will actually be able to achieve this subsidy."
Support for Senate Bill 22 is not limited to lawmakers. The bill has garnered attention from Texas actors, including Matthew McConaughey, who have expressed their support for expanding financial incentives for film and television productions in the state. This bipartisan backing highlights the potential for a substantial boost to Texas's film industry.
Local filmmakers are also optimistic about the bill's implications. Damon Crump, a film director from Waco, directed the 2008 horror/thriller movie Risen, which was filmed across the Greater Waco area. The production utilized 300-400 extras for a memorable scene shot at the Bellmead Civic Center. Reflecting on his experience, Crump shared, "We had a lot of them up here banging on the windows and some of them — even though we told them not to bang hard — one of these windows here cracked pretty much all the way up and down. Fortunately, we didn’t have to pay for it because they were about to do the remodel of the civic center. So the city was very cool to work with, very supportive of what we did."
When asked about Senate Bill 22, Crump expressed enthusiasm for the potential benefits. "If this bill is passed, I think the biggest benefit’s gonna be a lot more film production in Texas," he said. He explained that many production companies have been hesitant to film in Texas due to better incentives offered in other states. By increasing financial incentives, Senate Bill 22 could change that dynamic, encouraging not just large productions but also smaller companies like Crump's Jackalope Entertainment.
One of the key changes proposed in the bill is to raise the current 10% rebate for productions with budgets ranging from $1 million to $3.5 million to 25% for productions with budgets of at least $1.5 million. Crump believes this adjustment will motivate production companies to increase their budgets to qualify for those rebates, which could lead to an influx of talent and jobs in Texas. He described the potential impact as a "game-changer" for the state's film industry, stating, "To me it’s kinda a no-brainer. I think for me and many other producers, yeah it’s gonna be kind of eye-opening."
Despite the optimism surrounding Senate Bill 22, it has faced some pushback. Concerns have been raised about the use of tax dollars for productions that may not align with the state's values. Some lawmakers are questioning whether taxpayer money should be allocated to support projects deemed not "family-friendly." This debate highlights the ongoing tension between economic development and cultural values in Texas.
As Senate Bill 22 makes its way through the Texas Legislature, supporters and critics alike are closely monitoring its progress. The outcome of this bill could have lasting implications for the film industry in Texas and the state's economic landscape. With the potential to attract more productions and create jobs, the stakes are high for all involved.
