Bills › 89th General Assembly
Relating to text messages containing express advocacy, and making penalties applicable
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 25, 2021
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2021
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2022 session adjourned on May 24, 2022, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill prohibits a candidate or candidate’s committee from using campaign funds to publish a text message that includes express advocacy, unless the person receiving the text message has previously consented to receiving such text messages from the person sending the text message. Current law defines “express advocacy” as a communication that is political speech in the form of a contribution or that advocates for or against a clearly identified candidate or ballot issue. By operation of law, a person who violates a provision of the bill is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560.
House subcommittee
Named January 28, 2021. On February 2, 2021 it recommended indefinite postponement. Vote Total: 2-0.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part