LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 17, 2009

TO:	Honorable Mark Homer, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB873 by Dukes (Relating to incentives for the film, television, video, and digital interactive media production industries. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill adds educational or instructional videos to the definition of a moving image project. The bill amends the definition of underutilized and economically distressed areas.  The bill amends grant requirements for a film or television program from a minimum of $1 million in in-state spending to $250,000 and amends the percent that must be filmed in Texas from 80 percent to 60 percent.  The bill requires the establishment of rules for grant amounts and changes the additional grant amount for filming in underused areas from 1.25 percent to 2.5 percent of the company's in-state spending.  The bill states that grants can only be made from appropriated funds.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, MS, BTA