TXMPA NEWS
We are pleased to announce our support of HB 873 filed on January 29, 2009 by Representative Dawnna Dukes. The companion bill in the Senate, SB 605 was filed by Senator Bob Deuell. These bills call for enhancements to our existing incentive program and we are pleased that they reflect the interest of TXMPA and its constituents in the Texas moving image industry. We feel this enhanced incentive program will put Texas in a favorable position to bring production jobs back to Texas.
Highlights of the bill include:
- inclusion of film, television series, commercials, digital interactive media, and educational and instructional videos.
- lowered thresholds for film and TV production ($250,000)
- $100,000 threshold for commercial and educational/instructional videos and digital interactive media production (single or series of productions)
- 60% of a project must be filmed in Texas to qualify
- grant payout amounts are to be determined by office rules (which means we can have a competitive and flexible payout)
- Underutilized areas now will receive a 2.5% additional amount on top of the payout amount established by rules
There are additional provisions which we will detail later, all of which will strengthen our program and make us more competitive. Information on the funding of the program and the appropriation process will be available soon!
It is vital for us to show our support and let legislators know the importance of this program to our industry.
Become a member of TXMPA and get our e-blasts
Write your legislators or
Volunteer for Lobby Day!
Mark your calendars to be in Austin the evening of March 3 and all day March 4 to join our Lobby Day efforts. We need you to help all our voices be heard. Go to www.txmpa.volunteerhub.com and sign up to volunteer for Lobby Day. Please plan now to participate in our efforts to visit the offices of every legislator to thank them for the existing legislation and ask them for their continued support for the new bill.
Highlights of the bill include:
- inclusion of film, television series, commercials, digital interactive media, and educational and instructional videos.
- lowered thresholds for film and TV production ($250,000)
- $100,000 threshold for commercial and educational/instructional videos and digital interactive media production (single or series of productions)
- 60% of a project must be filmed in Texas to qualify
- grant payout amounts are to be determined by office rules (which means we can have a competitive and flexible payout)
- Underutilized areas now will receive a 2.5% additional amount on top of the payout amount established by rules
There are additional provisions which we will detail later, all of which will strengthen our program and make us more competitive. Information on the funding of the program and the appropriation process will be available soon!
It is vital for us to show our support and let legislators know the importance of this program to our industry.
Become a member of TXMPA and get our e-blasts
Write your legislators or
Volunteer for Lobby Day!
Mark your calendars to be in Austin the evening of March 3 and all day March 4 to join our Lobby Day efforts. We need you to help all our voices be heard. Go to www.txmpa.volunteerhub.com and sign up to volunteer for Lobby Day. Please plan now to participate in our efforts to visit the offices of every legislator to thank them for the existing legislation and ask them for their continued support for the new bill.
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