In a scene that could’ve come straight from a movie script, Hollywood met the Texas Senate last week as actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson joined forces with film industry leaders to promote Senate Bill 22 — legislation designed to transform the Lone Star State into a cinematic powerhouse. The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP), a key priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, cleared the Senate with a 23-8 vote and now heads to the House for further debate.
The bill, carried by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), earmarks a $498 million grant to attract film and television production to Texas. The goal? Make Texas the “film capital of America,” a title long held by California. Of the nearly half-billion-dollar package, $450 million is targeted at production tax credits, while $48 million is reserved for commercials and smaller-scale films — a modest investment compared to the state's projected $23.8 billion budget surplus.
A Star-Studded Committee Hearing
The Senate Business and Commerce Committee hearing on March 31 turned into a media event, with testimonies from McConaughey, Harrelson, and filmmaker Chad Gundersen. Supporters pitched the bill as a path to economic growth and a way to craft a version of the film industry that reflects Texas values. They emphasized job creation for local tradespeople — not just actors and directors, but carpenters, electricians, and truck drivers who form the backbone of any production.
Opponents, however, raised familiar concerns: government overreach, potential misuse of public funds, and whether Texas truly benefits from luring Hollywood here. Some worried that Texas might inherit the culture and controversies of California’s entertainment scene.
Mixed Senate Reaction
Despite the high-profile support, the bill didn’t earn unanimous backing. Eight senators — including two Democrats — opposed the measure, citing fiscal and cultural concerns. Notably, Sens. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) and Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) joined several fiscally conservative Republicans in voting no.
Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) summarized a common concern: “We should be cautious about subsidizing an industry that hasn't always reflected the values of our state.”
Residency Requirements Spark Debate
A sticking point in both Senate and House discussions has been the program’s “residency requirement” — the percentage of a production crew that must be made up of Texas residents. SB 22 proposes lowering that requirement to 35 percent, down from the 70 percent originally set before the 88th Legislative Session. This move, favored by director Taylor Sheridan and others in the industry, is aimed at addressing shortages in local crew availability.
Still, critics worry that this undercuts the program’s core promise — creating jobs for Texans. Lawmakers in the House are reportedly considering a proposal to address this, including a 2.5 percent incentive bonus for productions that hire 70 percent or more Texas-based workers.
Patrick’s Pitch: Texas Values, Texas Jobs
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has tied the bill to broader themes of job creation and cultural influence. “Texas is the nation's number one leader in job creation year after year,” he said. “Our business-friendly environment with low regulation, lack of state income tax, and reasonable incentive packages attract businesses of all types to our great state.”
Citing data from the Texas Film Commission, Patrick emphasized the economic return of such programs, claiming that every dollar spent on incentives produces nearly five dollars in economic activity. “The incentive money is only spent on expenses incurred in Texas,” he noted, “and goes to the Texas residents hired to do the many jobs on a film set.”
House Vote Ahead
In the lower chamber, the bill faces a different tone. Rep. Danield Alders (R-Tyler) has been an outspoken critic, arguing that state incentives should be focused elsewhere. “Texans don’t pay taxes for us to incentivize a Texas-sized version of Hollywood,” he said. “They pay taxes for us to keep them safe and free.”
Despite opposition, industry watchers say the bill has momentum. With the added backing of star power, and a clear economic pitch from leadership, the House hearing is expected to be closely watched by both political insiders and film industry professionals nationwide.
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