Bill > SB880

This bill updates Texas election law regarding political advertising, specifically expanding the definition to include mass text message campaigns and increasing potential civil penalties. The bill defines a "mass text message campaign" as an organized effort to send text messages supporting or opposing a candidate, political party, public officer, or measure that involves expenditure beyond basic technical costs. It amends the Election Code to clarify that political advertising now includes text message campaigns and increases the maximum civil penalty for violations from $4,000 to $10,000. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that each individual text message sent as part of a mass text message campaign that violates disclosure requirements can be considered a separate violation, potentially multiplying the total potential penalty. The changes will apply only to political advertising distributed on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that existing communications are not retroactively penalized under the new rules. This legislation aims to provide more comprehensive regulation of digital political communication and strengthen enforcement of political advertising disclosure requirements.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB880