- Local governmentsIncreases the after‑tax return on investments in film and television production (100% bonus depreciation), which suppor…
- Local governmentsBy requiring minimum in‑state spending thresholds to qualify, the provision directs a greater share of production expen…
- Potential benefitExtending or clarifying the period for full bonus depreciation for film/TV projects provides planning certainty for pro…
Texas is the New Hollywood Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
This bill, the "Texas is the New Hollywood Act of 2025," amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a special rule for “qualified film or television productions.” It establishes minimum in‑state spending thresholds to qualify ($100,000 for educational/digital interactive media and $500,000 for other film/TV productions) and makes 100% bonus depreciation available for qualified film/television production property placed in service after December 31, 2025 and before January 1, 2036. The text also modifies an earlier date reference in section 168(k) (the bill’s language contains an unusual substitution of dates that is unclear).
Whether the policy is primarily helpful economic development (centrist/conservative view) versus an untargeted corporate tax giveaway that should include labor/equity safeguards (liberal view).
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that sets new bonus depreciation terms and in‑State spending thresholds for qualified film and television productions.
This bill, the "Texas is the New Hollywood Act of 2025," amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a special rule for “qualified film or television productions.” It establishes minimum in‑state spending thresholds to qualify ($100,000 for educational/digital interactive media and $500,000 for other film/TV productions) and makes 100% bonus depreciation available for qualified film/television production property placed in service after December 31, 2025 and before January 1, 2036.
The text also modifies an earlier date reference in section 168(k) (the bill’s language contains an unusual substitution of dates that is unclear).
The effective date in the bill applies to property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
On content alone this is a narrowly tailored tax incentive for a visible industry that could attract state and industry support, and it includes a multi‑year sunset which can make it more palatable. However, it is a targeted tax expenditure with likely non‑trivial revenue cost and no offsets; such measures often face skepticism from budget hawks and can struggle in the Senate absent wider coalition building or being folded into a larger legislative vehicle. The bill’s short length and clear eligibility rules aid implementability but do not eliminate fiscal and procedural barriers.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that sets new bonus depreciation terms and in‑State spending thresholds for qualified film and television productions. It specifies the statutory language to effect the tax change and includes effective dates.
Whether the policy is primarily helpful economic development (centrist/conservative view) versus an untargeted corporate tax giveaway that should include labor/equity safeguards (liberal view).
Who stands to gain, and who may push back.
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
- Federal agenciesCreates a federal tax expenditure (reduced corporate tax receipts) that will lower federal revenue; critics may cite in…
- TaxpayersMay disproportionately benefit production companies, studios, and high‑income investors rather than broadly distributed…
- TaxpayersCould prompt administrative and compliance burdens for the IRS and taxpayers due to verification of in‑state spending t…
Why the argument around this bill splits.
Whether the policy is primarily helpful economic development (centrist/conservative view) versus an untargeted corporate tax giveaway that should include labor/equity safeguards (liberal view).
A mainstream progressive would likely view the bill with guarded skepticism.
They would welcome policies that support local cultural production, union jobs, and educational content, but be concerned that this is a targeted tax break that primarily benefits producers and investors without explicit labor, equity, or environmental conditions.
They would want safeguards to ensure benefits reach local workers and communities rather than serving as untied corporate tax relief.
A moderate would likely see practical upside in a targeted incentive that attempts to keep film and TV spending in particular states and jumpstart local economies, but they would be attentive to fiscal discipline and accountability.
The in‑state spending threshold is a welcomed targeting tool, while the 100% bonus depreciation raises questions about the scale and duration of the incentive.
They would favor more detail on cost, sunset provisions, reporting requirements, and possible offsets.
A mainstream conservative would generally view this bill favorably as a pro‑business, pro‑job tax incentive designed to make states more competitive for film and TV production.
They would appreciate the market signal and state economic development benefits while noting the bill is time‑limited and targeted.
Some conservatives might still worry about industry‑specific tax preferences but many would see this as preferable to direct subsidies or burdensome regulation.
The path through Congress.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
On content alone this is a narrowly tailored tax incentive for a visible industry that could attract state and industry support, and it includes a multi‑year sunset which can make it more palatable. However, it is a targeted tax expenditure with likely non‑trivial revenue cost and no offsets; such measures often face skepticism from budget hawks and can struggle in the Senate absent wider coalition building or being folded into a larger legislative vehicle. The bill’s short length and clear eligibility rules aid implementability but do not eliminate fiscal and procedural barriers.
- The bill text does not include a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate or identified offsets; the scale of revenue loss and how that affects legislative support is unknown.
- Political dynamics and negotiations—whether this measure would be attached to a larger tax or appropriations bill—are unknown but would greatly affect prospects.
Recent votes on the bill.
No vote history yet
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Go deeper than the headline read.
Whether the policy is primarily helpful economic development (centrist/conservative view) versus an untargeted corporate tax giveaway that…
On content alone this is a narrowly tailored tax incentive for a visible industry that could attract state and industry support, and it inc…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that sets new bonus depreciation terms and in‑State spending thresholds for qualified film an…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.