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Bill > HB20

TX HB20

TX HB20
Relating to measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations and theft during declared disasters, including establishing a designation program for disaster relief nonprofit organizations and financial institutions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.

summary

Introduced
08/15/2025
In Committee
09/03/2025
Crossed Over
08/21/2025
Passed
09/17/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
09/17/2025

Introduced Session

89th Legislature 2nd Special Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT relating to measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations and theft during declared disasters, including establishing a designation program for disaster relief nonprofit organizations and financial institutions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework to prevent and combat fraudulent charitable solicitations during declared disasters in Texas. The legislation creates a voluntary designation program administered by the Secretary of State that allows political subdivisions to officially recommend reputable nonprofit organizations or financial institutions for disaster relief donations, which must be published on the subdivision's website along with guidance to help residents avoid scams. The bill also introduces new criminal offenses specifically targeting disaster-related fraud, such as soliciting donations under false pretenses, falsely claiming to be a disaster volunteer, or seeking payment from disaster victims by misrepresenting the nature of services. Additionally, the bill creates a civil liability mechanism that allows victims to sue individuals who engage in malicious solicitation during disasters, with potential damages of 300% of the collected donations plus attorney's fees. The criminal penalties for these offenses range from third-degree felonies to first-degree felonies, depending on the specific circumstances and whether it is a repeat offense. The bill defines key terms like "disaster area" and "disaster volunteer" and applies to various types of disaster declarations, including those made by the president, state governor, or local government officials.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (94)

Jeffrey Barry (R)*,  Drew Darby (R)*,  A.J. Louderback (R)*,  Mando Martinez (D)*,  John McQueeney (R)*,  Charles Perry (R)*,  Daniel Alders (R),  Alma Allen (D),  Rafael Anchía (D),  Trent Ashby (R),  Cecil Bell (R),  Keith Bell (R),  Salman Bhojani (D),  César Blanco (D),  Greg Bonnen (R),  Brad Buckley (R),  Ben Bumgarner (R),  Angie Button (R),  Briscoe Cain (R),  Donna Campbell (R),  Terry Canales (D),  Giovanni Capriglione (R),  David Cook (R),  Tom Craddick (R),  Charles Cunningham (R),  Pat Curry (R),  Jay Dean (R),  Mano DeAyala (R),  Paul Dyson (R),  Erin Gámez (D),  Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D),  Stan Gerdes (R),  Ryan Guillen (R),  Bob Hall (R),  Sam Harless (R),  Cody Harris (R),  Caroline Harris Davila (R),  Richard Hayes (R),  Hillary Hickland (R),  Adam Hinojosa (R),  Chuy Hinojosa (D),  Donna Howard (D),  Lacey Hull (R),  Todd Hunter (R),  Ann Johnson (D),  Nathan Johnson (D),  Helen Kerwin (R),  Phil King (R),  Stan Kitzman (R),  Lois Kolkhorst (R),  Marc LaHood (R),  Suleman Lalani (D),  Stan Lambert (R),  Brooks Landgraf (R),  Jeff Leach (R),  Terri Leo-Wilson (R),  Janie Lopez (R),  John Lujan (R),  Shelley Luther (R),  Christian Manuel (D),  José Menéndez (D),  Will Metcalf (R),  Morgan Meyer (R),  Eddie Morales (D),  Penny Morales Shaw (D),  Matt Morgan (R),  Sergio Muñoz (D),  Candy Noble (R),  Tom Oliverson (R),  Angelia Orr (R),  Dennis Paul (R),  Katrina Pierson (R),  Mihaela Plesa (D),  Richard Raymond (D),  Ron Reynolds (D),  Ramon Romero (D),  Nate Schatzline (R),  Matt Shaheen (R),  Joanne Shofner (R),  Shelby Slawson (R),  John Smithee (R),  Kevin Sparks (R),  David Spiller (R),  Valoree Swanson (R),  Senfronia Thompson (D),  Steve Toth (R),  Chris Turner (D),  Gary VanDeaver (R),  Cody Vasut (R),  Denise Villalobos (R),  Trey Wharton (R),  Terry Wilson (R),  Judith Zaffirini (D),  Erin Zwiener (D), 

Last Action

Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 4, 2025 (on 09/17/2025)

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