Texas lawmakers have approved a major film incentive bill, signaling a long-term effort to make the state more competitive for projects.

Why it matters: Senate Bill 22, filed by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, would inject a total $1.5 billion into a new Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund, disbursed every two years through 2035 — the biggest support for film incentives in the state yet.

• Backed by celebs, the bill is a major win for production advocates who say Texas has lost out for too long.
• Eligible expenses would include wages for Texas workers, meals from local restaurants, and airfare on Texas-based airlines — all of which could be reimbursed.

Driving the news: The Texas House approved the Senate-passed bill over the weekend and it will likely be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.

State of play: The proposal originally sought $500 million every two years, but the figure dropped to $300 million following committee discussions.

• Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi), who sponsored the bill in the House, said he'll keep pushing for the higher amount in future budget cycles, per the Fort Worth Report.

Yes, but: Despite the drop, the bill, if signed by Abbott, would still mark the biggest upgrade yet to the state's film incentives program. The consistent funding would support long-term planning and extended productions, the nonprofit Media for Texas tells Axios.

Flashback: Since launching in 2007, Texas' film incentive program has seen inconsistent funding. In 2023, lawmakers didn't overhaul the program but approved a then-record $200 million for the 2024–2025 budget — a major jump from the previous $45 million.

Zoom in: Houston saw more than $81 million in film-related economic impact in 2024 — more than double the previous year — with projects like Netflix's "Mo" in Alief and Paramount's "1923" filming in the region, per Houston First.

What they're saying: "This bill will enable Texans to take a leading place in this industry," Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, tells Axios.

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Texas lawmakers are looking to create a strategic bitcoin reserve for the state, mirroring the one created by President Trump's executive order.

Why it matters: Texas would become the third state to have a place to put bitcoin, following New Hampshire and Arizona.

• Texas is by far the largest state for bitcoin mining.

Context: Senate Bill 21 would create a cryptocurrency investment fund outside the state treasury overseen by the Texas comptroller.

• A five-member advisory committee, including the comptroller, would set investment policies, and the comptroller would be required to publish a financial status report every two years.

The latest: The Texas House passed SB 21 last week, sending the bill back to the Senate, which has already approved it, with minor changes.

What they're saying: "Already the home of crypto mining, this legislative session Texas should become the crypto capital. Gov. Abbott looks forward to reviewing this proposal," Andrew Mahaleris, the governor's press secretary, told Axios in a statement.

Between the lines: The reserve is meant to diversify the state's investments with bitcoin.

• It could be "a hedge against inflation," according to the bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Charles Schwertner of Georgetown.

🍃 The Texas THC ban proposal is headed the governor's desk after state senators agreed to minor changes made in the House. (Texas Tribune)

🏥 Texas Children's Hospital saw a record high number of ER visits among kids for behavioral health issues in April. (Houston Public Money)

Former longtime Fox 26 news anchor José Griñán died at 72. (Houston Chronicle)

No surprise here: Greater Houston is home to some of the state's best barbecue joints, according to Texas Monthly's new Top 50 BBQ rankings.

Why it matters: A spot on the coveted list brings home bragging rights and a shot at more customers for Texas' pitmasters.

Driving the news: Truth BBQ took the No. 9 spot amid a growing field of over 300 contenders.

• Houston's Brisket & Rice and Pinkerton's Barbecue, Spring's Corkscrew BBQ and Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q, and Montgomery's Bar-A-BBQ and Jennings & Co. BBQ also made the top 50 under the "Best of the Rest" category.

How it works: Since 1996, Texas Monthly has deployed tasters across the Lone Star State to curate each iteration of its Top 50 BBQ spots.

• The rankings have been updated several times over the years. The last time the list was updated was in 2021.
• More than two dozen tasters visited 319 barbecue restaurants across the state in late 2024 to compile their latest ranking.

See the full list