BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4539

By: Goldman

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Local leaders in the district have raised concerns about stringent eligibility requirements for grants awarded under the moving image industry incentive program. C.S.H.B. 4539 seeks to address this issue by decreasing the percentage of the production crew that must be Texas residents for a project to qualify for such a grant. This will make Texas more appealing to film production companies who would like to apply to the program, in turn increasing employment rates in, and having a positive economic impact on, communities all across Texas.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4539 amends the Government Code to lower from 70 percent to 55 percent the minimum percentage of the production crew, actors, and extras of a moving image project who must be Texas residents, with certain exceptions, in order for that project to qualify for a grant under the moving image industry incentive program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 4539 differs from the introduced only by amending the caption.