Relating to the establishment of the Texas Film Academy to facilitate workforce development in the state's film, television, and digital media industries.

89(R) HB 5508 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text

89R14654 DNC-F

By: Bumgarner, Howard

H.B. No. 5508

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Texas Film Academy to

facilitate workforce development in the state's film, television,

and digital media industries.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "academy" means the Texas

Film Academy.

(b) The legislature finds that:

(1) the establishment of the academy is essential to

the support and growth of film, television, and digital media

industries in this state; and

(2) success of the academy will aid this state in

becoming a destination for film, television, and digital media

productions.

SECTION 2. Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended

by adding Chapter 485B to read as follows:

CHAPTER 485B. TEXAS FILM ACADEMY

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 485B.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1)

"Academy" means the Texas Film Academy established

under this chapter.

(2)

"Commission" means the Texas Workforce

Commission.

(3)

"Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher

Education Coordinating Board.

(4)

"Institution of higher education," "public junior

college," and "public technical institute" have the meanings

assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

Sec.

485B.002.

PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to

facilitate the development and delivery of higher education and

workforce training in the film, television, and digital media

industries in this state necessary to address the growing demand

for skilled crew members in those industries, create jobs, foster

economic growth, and strengthen the state's appeal as a destination

for film, television, and digital media productions.

Sec.

485B.003.

ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION. (a) The Texas

Film Academy is established to facilitate the creation and offering

of specialized higher education and workforce training programs in

film production, post-production, and other related areas of the

film, television, and digital media industries in this state.

(b)

In consultation with the coordinating board, the

academy shall operate in partnership with institutions of higher

education and industry leaders in this state's film, television,

and digital media industries to facilitate the offering of higher

education programs and workforce training in the areas described by

Subsection (a).

(c)

The academy is administratively attached to the

commission. The commission shall provide administrative support

services, staffing, and facilities necessary to assist the academy

in performing the academy's duties under this chapter.

Sec.

485B.004.

GOVERNANCE; BOARD MEMBERSHIP. (a) The

academy is governed by a board composed of nine directors appointed

by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. A member

of the board serves at the pleasure of the governor.

(b) The board's membership must include:

(1)

representatives of institutions of higher

education;

(2) a representative of the coordinating board; and

(3)

industry leaders in the film, television, or

digital media industry.

SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES

Sec.

485B.051.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT. (a) The academy, in

consultation with industry leaders and representatives of the

coordinating board, public junior colleges, public technical

institutes, and general academic teaching institutions, shall

develop customized curriculum requirements for associate degree

and certificate programs and continuing education courses to

prepare students for jobs in film, television, and digital media

industries that, subject to coordinating board approval under

Section 61.0512, Education Code, if applicable, may be offered by

public junior colleges or public technical institutes.

(b)

In developing curriculum requirements under Subsection

(a), the academy and other persons described by that subsection

shall focus on developing curriculum for programs leading to

high-wage jobs in the areas of:

(1) on-set production training;

(2) post-production techniques;

(3) grip and electric training;

(4) costume and set design;

(5) sound engineering;

(6) visual effects and animation; and

(7)

project management in film and television

production.

Sec.

485B.052.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER

EDUCATION. The academy shall seek to enter into partnerships with

institutions of higher education located in regions throughout this

state to offer, both in person and by distance education, degree,

certificate, and continuing education programs and courses

developed by the academy. The academy shall also encourage

institutions of higher education to integrate courses developed by

the academy into any existing degree, certificate, and continuing

education programs offered by the institutions that are relevant to

the purpose of this chapter.

Sec.

485B.053.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY. The academy

shall seek to enter into partnerships with film studios, production

companies, and industry associations in this state to:

(1)

offer internships and apprenticeships that

provide higher education students in this state with hands-on

experience in the film, television, or digital media industry; and

(2)

ensure that the customized higher education and

training programs developed by the academy are aligned with

industry workforce needs.

Sec. 485B.054. ADDITIONAL DUTIES. The academy shall:

(1)

host job fairs, networking events, and industry

workshops to connect graduates with potential employers; and

(2)

provide guidance to entities that partner with the

academy to provide internships and apprenticeships, or that provide

equipment donations to the academy, on the existence of any state or

local tax preferences that may be available to the entities.

Sec.

485B.055.

GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The academy

may solicit gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private

source for the purposes of this chapter.

Sec.

485B.056.

ANNUAL REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1

of each year, the academy shall prepare and submit to the governor

and each standing committee of the legislature with primary

jurisdiction over higher education or workforce development a

written report that includes:

(1)

a summary of the academy's progress and

effectiveness that includes data on enrollment, degree or

certificate program completion, and job placement for individuals

participating in higher education programs or training developed by

or offered in partnership with the academy; and

(2)

recommendations for improvements to or expansion

of the academy, including any need for additional funding.

(b)

The commission shall include in its annual report

submitted under Subsection (a) not later than December 1, 2030, a

summary of the results and impact of the academy, including a

recommendation on whether the academy should be continued,

expanded, or terminated.

Sec.

485B.057.

EXPIRATION. The academy terminates and this

chapter expires September 1, 2032.

SECTION 3. A public institution of higher education that

partners with the Texas Film Academy to offer a degree,

certificate, or continuing education program under Chapter 485B,

Government Code, as added by this Act, shall begin enrolling

students in the program not later than the 2027 spring semester.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.