Bill > HB3386

This bill amends the Texas Election Code to expand the definition of "political advertising" to explicitly include mass text message campaigns. Specifically, the bill defines a "mass text message campaign" as an organized effort to send text messages to multiple recipients supporting or opposing a candidate, political party, public officer, or measure, which involves spending funds beyond basic technology costs. The bill updates the existing definition of political advertising to include text message campaigns as a form of communication that can be considered political advertising when done in exchange for compensation. The changes will apply only to political advertising distributed or broadcast on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning that prior political text messaging will be governed by the laws in effect at the time they were sent. By adding this definition, the bill aims to provide clarity and regulatory oversight for political messaging conducted through text message campaigns, ensuring transparency and potentially subjecting such campaigns to existing political advertising regulations.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3386