House Passes Film Incentives, But With a 40% Cut

The Texas House on Monday passed a much-discussed film industry incentive bill with a 40% cut from the version proposed by the Senate.

As approved by the House on Monday, Senate Bill 22 would create a new Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund, and allow the state comptroller to deposit $300 million into it every two years. Those incentives could be used to pay for wages for Texas employees, meals bought from local restaurants and airfare on Texas-based airlines, according to the Texas Tribune.

SB 22 has been the subject of much debate this session, boasting support from a host of entertainment icons with roots in the Lone Star State. Actors Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey and Dennis Quaid have testified in favor of the bill this session, as has director and screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, who co-created the TV series Yellowstone. They’ve argued that those incentives would make Texas more competitive for film productions compared to New Mexico’s and Georgia’s programs.

Critics have argued that the lavish price tag would better be invested in other state programs. And some who testified against the bill this session worried about the effects productions would have on local communities.

The original version of the bill, written by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, would have allowed for $500 million deposits into the fund every two years.

Corpus Christi Republican Rep. Todd Hunter on Monday proposed the amendment to cut the program’s scope, which won the full chamber’s support.

With that amendment, the incentive program passed handily with bipartisan support, on a final reading vote of 114-26, according to the state’s unofficial tally. The Senate now will need to decide whether to accept the cut, or negotiate a compromise in a closed-door conference committee.

Even with the cut, the bill would set a new record for film incentives in the state. Last session, lawmakers approved a $200 million infusion into the program.