WE HAVE BILLS!

We are pleased to announce our support of HB 873 filed on January 29,
2009 by Representative Dawnna Dukes. There is a companion bill
filed in the Senate by Senator Bob Deuell, SB605. These bills call for
enhancements to our existing incentive program and we are pleased that
they reflect the interest of TXMPA and its constituents in the Texas
moving image industry. We feel this enhanced incentive program will
put Texas in a favorable position to bring production jobs back to
Texas.

Highlights of the bill include:
- inclusion of film, television series, commercials, digital
interactive media, and educational and instructional videos.
- lowered thresholds for film and TV production ($250,000)
- $100,000 threshold for commercial and educational/instructional
videos and digital interactive media production (single or series of
productions)
- 60% of a project must be filmed in Texas to qualify
- grant payout amounts are to be determined by office rules (which
means we can have a competitive and flexible payout)
- Underutilized areas now will receive a 2.5% additional amount on top
of the payout amount established by rules
There are additional provisions which we will detail later, all of
which will strengthen our program and make us more competitive.
Information on the funding of the program and the appropriation
process will be available soon!

See the full text of HB 873 at _http://tinyurl.com/cgc5e9_.

It is vital for us to show our support and let legislators know the
importance of this program to our industry. Please, take a moment to
go to www.txmpa.org to join and sign up for our e-blast. Mark your
calendars to be in Austin the evening of March 3 and all day March 4
to join our Lobby Day efforts. We need you to help all our voices be
heard. Members, contact your regional representative to sign up.
Watch the website for forthcoming specifics on Lobby Day. Please
plan now to participate in our lobby day efforts to visit the
offices of every legislator to thank them for the existing legislation
and ask them for their continued support for the new bill.


--
cb

“Badlands, you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand
As the price you've gotta pay
We'll keep pushin' till it's understood
And these badlands start treating us good.”
Bruce Springsteen, /Badlands

/Craig Berlin
"Mr. Tapeguy"

Founding Board Member (Retired)
Legislative Committee 2008-2009
Texas Motion Picture Alliance
http://www.txmpa.org