89R8714 MZM-F
By: Phelan H.B. No. 4958
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to required disclosures on political advertising
supporting or opposing certain officeholders; authorizing a civil
penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 255, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 255.009 to read as follows:
Sec. 255.009. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE ON POLITICAL ADVERTISING
SUPPORTING OR OPPOSING CERTAIN OFFICEHOLDERS; CIVIL PENALTY. (a)
A person may not knowingly cause to be published, distributed, or
broadcast political advertising supporting or opposing an
officeholder whose name is not on an election ballot at the time the
political advertising is published, distributed, or broadcast
unless the political advertising indicates in the form and manner
the commission requires by rule:
(1) that the political advertising was paid for; and
(2) the full name of the person who paid for the
political advertising.
(b) A person who violates this section is liable to this
state for a civil penalty in an amount the commission determines not
to exceed $4,000.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.