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Bill

HB 1249

Creative Economy Task Force; established, strategic plan, report, sunset.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rae Cousins and 3 co-sponsors

Virginia establishes a Creative Economy Task Force to develop a strategic plan for expanding creative industries, with results due before the task force sunsets.

Reported from General Laws and Technology and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 1249

Legislative bill overview

HB 1249 establishes a Creative Economy Task Force in Virginia charged with developing a comprehensive strategic plan to support and grow the state's creative industries sector. The task force will produce a report with findings and recommendations, operating under a sunset clause that terminates the task force after a defined period unless legislatively renewed.

Why is this important

Creative industries—including arts, design, film, music, technology, and media—represent significant economic drivers and employment generators in many states. Formalizing a task force signals Virginia's intent to strategically develop this sector through coordinated policy, potentially attracting talent and investment while documenting the creative economy's economic impact on the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding and resource allocation – The bill's practical impact depends on budget appropriations; if underfunded, the task force may produce limited outputs despite bipartisan support (91-6 House passage suggests broad backing).
  • Definition and scope of "creative economy" – Disagreement may arise over which industries qualify (film incentives vs. startup tech companies), affecting whose interests the task force prioritizes.
  • Implementation timeline and accountability – The sunset clause creates urgency but may pressure rushed recommendations; clarity on deliverables and metrics for success appears critical but unspecified in this summary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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