By: Huffman S.B. No. 627
(Hunter)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain defenses to libel actions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 73.005, Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 73.005. TRUTH A DEFENSE. (a) The truth of the
statement in the publication on which an action for libel is based
is a defense to the action.
(b) In an action brought against a newspaper or other
periodical or broadcaster, the defense described by Subsection (a)
applies to an accurate reporting of allegations made by a third
party regarding a matter of public concern.
(c) This section does not abrogate or lessen any other
remedy, right, cause of action, defense, immunity, or privilege
available under the Constitution of the United States or this state
or as provided by any statute, case, or common law or rule.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to accurate reporting by a newspaper or other periodical or
broadcaster made on or after the effective date of this Act. The
accurate reporting by a newspaper or other periodical or
broadcaster made before the effective date of this Act is governed
by the law applicable to the accurate reporting immediately before
that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.