A Letter From TFC Director Stephanie Whallon
Today, Senate Bill 22 passed into law, marking the single-largest investment in job creation in the Texas media production industries in the history of our great state.
This is the second consecutive legislative session of record-breaking funding for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP). We are grateful to the leadership of Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature for their support of TMIIIP and of the moving image industry in Texas. Our mission at the Texas Film Commission (TFC) is to help grow local jobs and economies by promoting Texas as the premier destination for film, television, commercial, animation, visual effects, video game and extended reality production.
Today’s bill passage recognizes the value of high-quality media productions created in Texas and exported to the nation and the world, furthering the power of the Texas brand.
This historic legislation does the following:
- Sets new minimum and maximum percentage levels
- Sets new minimum percentages for the hiring of Texas residents by production type
- Sets new percentages for grants based on eligible in-state spending levels and eligible wages paid to Texas residents by production type
- Establishes new, additional “uplifts” for eligible productions
- Sets a percentage cap for total reimbursement grants
SB22 will go into effect at the start of the biennium on September 1, 2025. The TFC staff will begin working on rules, timelines and a revised application process immediately. Like all successful productions, we'll need to do some pre-production to prepare for the implementation of the new aspects of the program. We will be providing updated information on timelines throughout the summer.
We will continue to accept applications for funding currently available under the current TMIIIP rules. You can get information on current rules and apply here: gov.texas.gov/apps/film/filmIncentivesInquiry.aspx
The TFC will be implementing the new TMIIIP legislation, developing rules, and reviewing and approving applications. While we will be accepting applications for projects beginning September 1, decisions will not be rendered until administrative rules become effective.
Our team is aware that a lot of information and summaries are being circulated. The implementation of the program modifications is solely the responsibility of the Texas Film Commission. For the most up-to-date information on the process, or for any questions, please contact our team directly.
Today marks the beginning of a bright new chapter in the history of the Texas Film Commission. We are honored to work on behalf of the people of Texas and to promote Texas as the premier destination for media production.
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See y'all soon!
Stephanie Whallon
Texas Film Commission Director