After months of collaboration, advocacy, and growing momentum at the Capitol, HB2110 — the “Bringing Sitcoms Home from Hollywood Pilot Program Act” — officially passed. As a result, the bill marked a major milestone for Oklahoma’s entertainment industry and the future of live-audience television production in the state.

For Rock Paper Cannon Founder and CEO Rachel Cannon, the bill’s passage marked her fifth legislative session — and one of the most meaningful. Over time, Cannon has worked closely with state leadership and industry partners to help modernize Oklahoma’s film and television incentive landscape.

Through her advocacy work, she has helped advance a clear vision rooted in workforce development, economic growth. At the same time, that vision prioritizes long-term creative infrastructure for Oklahoma.

This year’s efforts included sustained engagement at the Capitol and participation in State Chamber kickoff events.
In addition, Cannon attended an invite-only dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. Meanwhile, she continued collaborating with lawmakers committed to building Oklahoma’s next industry vertical: entertainment.

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Introducing HB2110: the “Sitcom Bill”

Cannon’s goal has always been clear and ambitious: to establish Oklahoma as a live-entertainment hub, much like Nashville became for country music.

To bring that vision to life, Cannon worked with state lawmakers to pass HB2110 — innovative legislation strategically focused on live entertainment. In doing so, the bill expands Oklahoma’s film and television industry to include broadcast programming. Historically, broadcast programming has served as a stabilizing force behind Hollywood studios for decades.

Over the past five years, Cannon has maintained a consistent presence at the State Capitol, advocating for policies that support a more sustainable and competitive film and television ecosystem. As a result, HB2110 marks her fifth bill to advance through a legislative session. Notably, three of the five measures passed with more than 70 percent bipartisan support.

Those legislative efforts include:

• SB608 (2021) — Established a more competitive rebate structure by increasing Oklahoma’s annual film incentive from $8 million to $30 million.

• HB2459 (2023) — Updated program requirements, including increasing the non-resident labor incentive from 7.5 percent to 20 percent, a change that helped secure Twisters for Oklahoma.

• HB2110 (2025) — Created a pilot program specifically for live-audience sitcoms, laying the groundwork for a new entertainment sector designed to stabilize the workforce through longer-term productions.

“I’m deeply grateful for a legislature that understands the value of a thriving entertainment industry,” Cannon said. “Because of this work, we’re creating high-paying jobs and long-term opportunities for local vendors. And with sitcoms, we can now add live entertainment for residents while introducing a new kind of tourism for Oklahoma.”

At its core, HB2110 is designed to support the following goals:

• Retain creative talent in Oklahoma

• Keep crews working on longer-running productions

• Expand workforce training and apprenticeship pathways

• Drive tourism and local economic activity

This isn’t just a rebate.
It’s an ecosystem play.

Doubling down on Broadcast

With HB2110 in place, Oklahoma is now positioned as a competitive alternative to traditional live-audience studio hubs like California and New York. High-volume episodic production creates consistent employment, repeat spending across hospitality and construction, and a durable cultural footprint that grows over time.

Historically, live-audience series have served as the backbone of television studios — generating long-running franchises, spin-offs, and generational libraries.

With funding, HB2110 will allow Oklahoma to participate in that proven model at a moment when the industry is actively seeking new, cost-effective production homes.

Live Audience Episodic Series Requirements:

• Minimum Budget of $200,000 per episode
• Minimum of 6 episodes per season
• Minimum of 50 live audience members in “live audience studio facility”
  • Guidelines defined in administrative rules
• Must participate in the apprentice program to foster local talent and contribute to the state’s economic growth
• Must display Oklahoma state logo in the production credits

Rebate Program Requirements:

• Wages are fixed rates for nonresident at 20% and resident at 30%
• Goods and Services at a 25% base incentive (bc series is required rather than optional)
• Optional Upticks for Rural, Certified Stages, Post Production + Music to get up to 30%
• 5 year pilot program to build a new industry vertical

What HB2110 Unlocks

HB2110 lays the groundwork for what comes next: bringing live-audience sitcom production to Oklahoma at scale.

In turn, HB2110 supports Rock Paper Cannon’s broader mission to advance the infrastructure, training, and financing required to sustain this genre long-term — not just for one show, but for many.

Let’s make Oklahoma the new home of the American sitcom

With the legislation now passed, the work continues — moving from policy to production, and from vision to implementation. Oklahoma has taken a decisive step toward becoming a home for live-audience entertainment, and Rock Paper Cannon is proud to be part of building what comes next.