Bill > HB2285

This bill updates Texas election law by expanding the definition of "political advertising" to include mass text message campaigns and increasing civil penalties for violations. Specifically, 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 of funds beyond basic communication costs. The legislation increases the maximum civil penalty for violations from $4,000 to $10,000 and introduces a provision that treats each individual text message sent as a separate violation when assessing penalties. This means that a single mass text message campaign could potentially result in significantly higher financial penalties if found to be non-compliant with election advertising disclosure requirements. The changes will apply only to political advertising distributed or broadcast on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that existing political communications are not retroactively impacted by the new regulations.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2285