TV & FILM INDUSTRY TASK FORCE

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A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT TO CONVENE
A TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
FOR ACTIVITIES OR SERVICES OFFERED OR RENDERED BY PERSONS
OPERATING IN NEW MEXICO'S MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION AND
PERFORMING ARTS INDUSTRIES.
WHEREAS, the motion picture, television and performing
arts industries are important components of New Mexico's
economy and workforce; and
WHEREAS, artists and performers rely on professional
services to obtain employment, develop careers, manage public
presence and negotiate compensation; and
WHEREAS, the term "talent management" is commonly used
to describe activities or professional services provided in
exchange for monetary compensation that include procuring or
attempting to procure for monetary compensation: employment,
career counseling or consulting, branding, publicity, social
media and digital presence management, contract-related
advising, referral services or casting-related services; and
WHEREAS, persons commonly known as "talent agents"
engage in procuring, offering, promising or attempting to
procure employment or engagements for artists or performers,
whether or not those persons are franchised by a labor
organization; and
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WHEREAS, persons commonly known as "talent managers", in
exchange for monetary compensation, but without regulatory
standards, provide career guidance or representation and, in
some cases, engage directly or indirectly in the procurement
of employment; and
WHEREAS, certain casting entities, including background
casting companies and independent casting services not
affiliated with recognized professional associations, may
exercise discretion without uniform oversight over performer
selection or placement; and
WHEREAS, some additional services related to talent
management, including public relations, publicity, social
media management or digital brand representation, may overlap
with employment procurement or contractual arrangements; and
WHEREAS, the lack of regulatory standards and oversight
has led to an unclear understanding of industry terms,
creates uncertainty for artists or performers, service
providers and producers and may expose those in the industry
to unfair practices or exorbitant fees; and
WHEREAS, other states have enacted statutory frameworks
defining the titles and roles of talent agents, managers and
related services providers and providing oversight regarding
talent employment procurement; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico does not have a statutory framework
to define, delineate and, as needed, regulate industry
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practices, but the state's motion picture, television and
performing arts industries could benefit from such a
framework; and
WHEREAS, a task force convened by the regulation and
licensing department could study and evaluate existing gaps,
review industry best practices and make recommendations
tailored to New Mexico's motion picture, television and
performing arts industries;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the
regulation and licensing department be requested to convene a
task force by July 15, 2026 to:
A. study and recommend a regulatory framework for
activities or services offered or rendered by persons
operating in New Mexico's motion picture, television and
performing arts industries. The study should include
industry-related services, including talent management,
talent agents, talent managers, talent advisors, talent
consultants, publicists, social media managers or consultants
and background casting services and casting entities not
affiliated with the casting society;
B. evaluate when industry-related activities or
services constitute the procurement of employment and warrant
regulation or oversight by the regulation and licensing
department; and
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C. recommend statutory or administrative action to
promote transparency, fairness and workforce protection while
supporting growth in New Mexico's motion picture, television
and performing arts industries; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include:
A. a representative from the screen actors guild-
American federation of television and radio artists;
B. a representative from the New Mexico film
division of the economic development department;
C. a representative from the governor's council on
film and media industries;
D. a member of the New Mexico house of
representatives;
E. a member of the New Mexico senate;
F. a casting director accredited by the casting
society;
G. a talent agent franchised by the screen actors
guild-American federation of television and radio artists;
H. a representative from the department of
justice;
I. a representative from the Albuquerque film
office;
J. a representative from the Santa Fe film office;
K. a representative from film Las Cruces; and
L. a representative from the Indian affairs
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department; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force complete its
report no later than November 1, 2026 and report its findings
and recommendations no later than November 30, 2026 to the
governor, the legislative interim committee that studies
courts, corrections and justice, the New Mexico film division
of the economic development department and the executive
director of the screen actors guild-American federation of
television and radio artists; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the superintendent of regulation and licensing
and the governor.