A Texas film incentive bill just moved one step closer to reality, and one step closer to making Texas a conservative Hollywood alternative.
The Texas House of Representatives voted 114–26 on Monday to approve Senate Bill 22 (SB 22), a sweeping measure that allocates $300 million in film and television production incentives every other year for the next decade. If fully funded, the program would represent a $1.5 billion investment aimed at attracting film, television, and multimedia projects to shoot and produce in Texas, with the goal of creating local jobs, expanding economic activity, and positioning the state as a competitive alternative to other major production hubs like Georgia and California.
Woody Harrelson on the Joe Rogan Experience – YouTube, PowerfulJRE
The bill also includes bonus incentives for film projects that promote family values, are faith-based, or highlight Texas heritage. Supporters of the legislation, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have framed the program as an opportunity to promote Texas values and offer an alternative to traditional Hollywood productions.
The bill now returns to the Senate for final review of House amendments. If accepted, it will head to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature. SB 22 was designated as a top priority by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earlier this session.
Incentive Structure and Content Requirements
The Texas film incentive bill offers percentage-based grants to qualifying productions based on the amount of money spent in Texas.
- $250,000–$1 million in-state spending: 5% grant
- $1 million–$1.5 million: 10% grant
- Over $1.5 million: 25% grant
Additional bonus incentives of 2.5% to 5% are available for projects that meet certain criteria, including:
- Shooting in rural counties
- Highlighting Texas historical heritage
- Employing Texas veterans
- Collaborating with local college students
- Promoting family values or faith-based themes
- Using Texas-based post-production services
- Filming at recognized historic sites
A screenshot from Sinners – YouTube, Warner Bros.
To be eligible, productions must be approved by the Texas Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office under the Governor’s Office. Starting September 1, projects must employ at least 35% Texas residents, with that threshold increasing 5% every two years.
Certain content is explicitly disqualified from receiving funds. These include:
- Lewd content
- Political ads
- Religious services
- News programs
- Award shows
- Casino-style video games
The bill also requires projects to portray Texas and Texans in a positive light, a provision that has drawn both support and criticism.
Support from Lawmakers and the Industry
Rep. Todd Hunter (R–Corpus Christi) introduced SB 22 in the House, calling it the “Make Texas Film Industry Great Again” bill during floor debate. The measure has support from Lt. Gov. Patrick, who said the goal is to export “Texas faith and family values to the rest of America and the world.”
Matthew McConaughey sits for an interview – YouTube, Chris Williamson
Advocacy group Media for Texas praised the bill, with representative Chase Musslewhite saying the funding would help make Texas a national leader in film production. He added that if the $300 million is fully utilized, lawmakers may consider increasing it to $500 million per biennium in future sessions.
Famed Texas actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson appeared before a House committee in April to back the companion bill, HB 4568.
“Hollywood does not have a trademark on telling good stories,” McConaughey said. “No patent on that… So why don’t we Texas our Texas and tell some ourselves?”
Criticism from Within the GOP and Beyond
Despite passing with wide support, SB 22 faced opposition from a conservative faction of the Republican Party.
Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian) criticized the bill for using public money to support the entertainment industry. From March through May, he posted the word “Hollywood” on social media 45 times in protest, often using the phrase “Don’t Hollywood my Texas.”
James Woods in an interview with Megyn Kelly about the fire that nearly destroyed his house – YouTube, The Megyn Kelly Show
“This is another anti-taxpayer bill in the most anti-taxpayer session in Texas history,” Harrison said in a statement. “Instead of lowering property taxes, the Texas House just voted to steal billions from hardworking Texans to give to liberal Hollywood.”
Rep. David Lowe echoed the sentiment on the House floor.
“This bill provides taxpayer-funded incentives to the film and entertainment industry,” he said. “The same industry that trashed us for supporting President Trump, mocked us for standing up for the unborn, vilified us for opposing gender transitions for children and ridiculed our Christian faith at every opportunity.”
Tim Allen performs stand up comedy – Photo Credit: Mark Ridley, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
On the Democratic side, Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D–Austin) raised concerns that the bill’s language on “family values” could lead to subjective enforcement.
“Whose family values?” she asked during Senate debate.
Sen. Joan Huffman (R–Houston), who introduced the amendment favoring faith-based content, disagreed with the assertion that the criteria were biased.
Comparison to Other States and Industry Outlook
Texas’ film incentive program has traditionally lagged behind other states.
By comparison:
- Georgia and Louisiana offer robust programs without specific ideological filters.
- Both states disqualify only obscene or explicitly unlawful content.
- Texas’ new structure introduces content-based review standards, distinguishing it from more neutral economic development models.
While other states have seen commercial and critical successes like Sinners (shot in Louisiana), concerns have been raised over whether similar projects—especially those with mature themes—would qualify under Texas’ proposed cultural criteria.
Tom Cruise as Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder – YouTube, The Nostalgia Zone
Still, proponents argue that aligning the program with local values and job creation will attract a different type of filmmaker and lay the groundwork for a sustainable, Texas-grown industry.
Next Steps
The Senate will review the two House amendments added to SB 22. If they agree, the bill will proceed to Governor Abbott for approval. HB 4568—proposing a larger, $2.5 billion expansion of the Texas Moving Image Incentive Program—remains under House review.
Tom Cruise standing for an interview – YouTube, The Upcoming
If SB 22 is signed into law, the new guidelines and incentives will take effect September 1, 2025.
Do you think the Texas film incentive bill is a good idea? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
