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.