88R HB 1303
by Rep. Geren, same lead author · Died in committee · reworked
Introduced textLast action, Mar 3, 2023: Referred to State Affairs
Relating to entities that provide video services.
Caption, 88R bill history
HB 2479
Geren Cable Bill Writes Streaming Out Of State Video Rules
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
SmellsInitial review
Why it's charged
Carve-out
THE TEXT
“The term does not include any video programming accessed via a service that enables users to access content, information, e-mail, or other services offered over the Internet, including streaming content.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill writes one kind of business, internet streaming video, out of the cable and video service definitions, so streaming falls outside the state rules that cover those services. The caption only says the bill relates to entities that provide cable or video services and does not mention this exclusion.
Carve-outInitial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to entities that provide cable services or video services.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Video over the internet, “including streaming content,” falls outside the cable and video rules.
The bill changes the state definitions of cable service and video service so they no longer cover video watched through an internet service, including streaming content. This touches companies that deliver video over the internet, the cable and video providers already covered by state law, and the cities that regulate providers under this chapter. On the ground, internet streaming services fall outside the state cable and video service rules, taking effect right away with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: DO-OVER. Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 1303 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB2479 · 2025-02-05
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to entities that provide cable services or video services.
WHAT IT DOES
Video over the internet, “including streaming content,” falls outside the cable and video rules.
The bill changes the state definitions of cable service and video service so they no longer cover video watched through an internet service, including streaming content. This touches companies that deliver video over the internet, the cable and video providers already covered by state law, and the cities that regulate providers under this chapter. On the ground, internet streaming services fall outside the state cable and video service rules, taking effect right away with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[x] CARVE-OUTanalysis confidence 45%
THE TEXT
“The term does not include any video programming accessed via a service that enables users to access content, information, e-mail, or other services offered over the Internet, including streaming content.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill writes one kind of business, internet streaming video, out of the cable and video service definitions, so streaming falls outside the state rules that cover those services. The caption only says the bill relates to entities that provide cable or video services and does not mention this exclusion.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to State Affairs
- Referred to s/c on Telecommunications & Broadband by chair
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
Smells
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Nov 5, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$100,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$100,000.00
- Cash
- $100,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $100,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101004598, 101020024, 101055554, 101067438, 101071413.
Jon & Rebecca Brumley$50,000.00
Michael Gallagher$40,000.00
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$100,000.00
- Cash
- $100,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $100,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101004598, 101020024, 101055554, 101067438, 101071413.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
FILED BEFORE
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Feb 5, 2025
03/26/2025 H Referred to s/c on Telecommunications & Broadband by chair
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
SB 924 by Hancock (identical)
Subjects
Electronic Information Systems
Utilities--Telecommunications
VIDEOTAPE & FILM
Text
The text as introduced · 260 words
89R8029 CXP-F By: Geren H.B. No. 2479 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to entities that provide cable services or video services. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 66.002(2) and (10), Utilities Code, are amended to read as follows: (2) "Cable service" is defined as set forth in 47 U.S.C. Section 522(6). The term does not include any video programming accessed via a service that enables users to access content, information, e-mail, or other services offered over the Internet, including streaming content. (10) "Video service" means video programming services provided through wireline facilities located at least in part in the public right-of-way without regard to delivery technology, including Internet protocol technology. The term [ This definition ] does not include : (A) any video service provided by a commercial mobile service provider as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 332(d) ; (B) direct-to-home satellite services, as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 303(v), that are transmitted from a satellite directly to a customer's premises without using or accessing a portion of the public right-of-way; or (C) any video programming accessed via a service that enables users to access content, information, e-mail, or other services offered over the Internet, including streaming content . SECTION 2. 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, 2025.