GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL TO ATTRACT FILM AND TELEVISION COMPANIES

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Governor Rick Perry has signed into law House Bill 873, which expands the state’s incentive program for the production of movies, television shows, commercials and video games in the state of Texas. The legislation allows for flexibility in the amount of incentives the Texas Film Commission can offer entertainment media companies. The bill allows for incentive payments of 5 to 15 percent for film and television projects based on the level of spending in the state, as well as additional incentives of 2.5 to 14.25 percent for project in under-utilized areas. According to the governor’s office, the movie, television and video games have brought more than $1.2 billion to the state in the past 10 years. The bill allows Texas to further compete with New Mexico and Louisiana, which have also increased efforts to attract film and television productions to their respective states.