Texas House Bill HB3386

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 2/26/25

Caption

Relating to political advertising distributed or broadcast as part of a mass text message campaign.

Impact

The principal effect of HB 3386 will be the regulation of campaign messaging methods that increasingly rely on digital communication. This is especially relevant as more voters engage with political content through their mobile devices. The law delineates mass text message campaigns as organized efforts with financial expenditures beyond basic costs associated with text messaging. This inclusion ensures that such campaigns will now be subject to the same scrutiny and regulations that govern other forms of political advertising, thereby enhancing oversight in how political messages are disseminated to voters.

Summary

House Bill 3386 aims to regulate political advertising that is distributed or broadcast as part of a mass text message campaign. The bill amends the Election Code to provide a clearer definition of what constitutes political advertising, especially in the context of text messaging. By expanding the definition to include text messages sent in support of or opposition to political candidates or measures, the bill seeks to create a framework for accountability and transparency in political communications delivered via mobile platforms.

Contention

While the intent behind HB 3386 is to clarify and regulate political messaging methods, it may raise concerns among various stakeholders including political parties and campaign organizations. There may be opposition regarding the burden of compliance, particularly for grassroots campaigns that rely on less formal means of communication. Critics might argue that imposing additional regulations could hinder free expression and limit the ability of candidates and organizations to communicate effectively with potential voters. Furthermore, the implementation of this legislation could necessitate a significant degree of monitoring and enforcement, raising questions about the feasibility and resources required to uphold these new regulations.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Election Code

• Chapter 1. General Provisions
  • Section: New Section