Monitoring the Session

HB 3133

Deep Fake Reporting Bill Opens Platforms To Deceptive Trade Suits

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: Smells

SmellsReviewed
Rep. Salman BhojaniDHouse 92
Why it's charged
Caption mismatch

THE TEXT

“A violation of this chapter is a deceptive trade practice under Subchapter E, Chapter 17, and is actionable under that subchapter.”

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The caption is about deep fake reports, but this clause makes a violation of any part of the social media chapter a deceptive trade practice open to suit. That reaches well past deep fake reporting.

Caption mismatch

Reviewed · Nov 1, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to user reports of explicit deep fake material on social media platforms.

Caption from analyzed text · version S.

Summary

Caption: deep fake reports. Bill: any violation of the whole chapter can be sued over.

The bill requires social media platforms to let users report explicit deep fake material, remove the reported content, block copies from being posted again, and update the reporting user within seven days. It touches social media platforms, people depicted in fake sexual images, and users whose posts get reported, who lose their right to notice and appeal when content is pulled under a deep fake complaint. It also makes any violation of the whole social media chapter a deceptive trade practice that can be sued over, starting September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Salman Bhojani (D) in the House. Lead sponsor Joan Huffman (R) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 3 Republicans, 2 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3133 · 2025-02-20

SOLD BY

+ 2 more authors, 4 coauthors

ITEM

relating to user reports of explicit deep fake material on social media platforms.

WHAT IT DOES

Caption: deep fake reports. Bill: any violation of the whole chapter can be sued over.

The bill requires social media platforms to let users report explicit deep fake material, remove the reported content, block copies from being posted again, and update the reporting user within seven days. It touches social media platforms, people depicted in fake sexual images, and users whose posts get reported, who lose their right to notice and appeal when content is pulled under a deep fake complaint. It also makes any violation of the whole social media chapter a deceptive trade practice that can be sued over, starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[x] CAPTION MISMATCHanalysis confidence 60%

THE TEXT

“A violation of this chapter is a deceptive trade practice under Subchapter E, Chapter 17, and is actionable under that subchapter.”

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The caption is about deep fake reports, but this clause makes a violation of any part of the social media chapter a deceptive trade practice open to suit. That reaches well past deep fake reporting.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 27, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in public hearing
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#1238
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#1334
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  23. Reported engrossed
  24. Received from the House
  25. Read first time
  26. Referred to State Affairs
  27. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Left pending in committee
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably as substituted
  33. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  34. Committee report printed and distributed
  35. Co-sponsor authorized
  36. Placed on intent calendar
  37. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  38. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  39. Vote recorded in Journal
  40. Three day rule suspended
  41. Record vote
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote
  45. Senate passage as amended reported
  46. Senate Amendments distributed
  47. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  48. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  49. Record vote RV#4019
  50. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  51. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  52. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  53. Reported enrolled
  54. Signed in the House
  55. Signed in the Senate
  56. Sent to the Governor
  57. Signed by the Governor
  58. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

SPEECH AND LAWFARE

THE TEXT

“remove the content reported by the user and any known content that is a copy of or identical to the reported content”…

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

Platforms must take down reported posts on a user's report, the poster loses notice and appeal, and any violation of the chapter becomes suable as a deceptive trade practice.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 122 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 29 yea · 2 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 2, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 26, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

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 · Jul 1, 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.

6301 ECC LLC$36,400.00

6301 ECC LLC

$36,400.00

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$36,400.00
Total
$36,400.00
Other filed descriptions $36,400.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 1, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 1, 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: 100978329, 101005348, 101026340, 101056439, 101069774, 101071921.

Sam Mahrouq$25,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$21,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$21,000.00

Cash
$21,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$21,000.00

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.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 4, 2024 to Oct 9, 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: 100978329, 101026340, 101056439, 101071921.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

6301 ECC LLC

$36,400.00

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$36,400.00
Total
$36,400.00
Other filed descriptions $36,400.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 1, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 1, 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: 100978329, 101005348, 101026340, 101056439, 101069774, 101071921.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$21,000.00

Cash
$21,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$21,000.00

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.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 4, 2024 to Oct 9, 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: 100978329, 101026340, 101056439, 101071921.

Votes6

House May 29, 2025

Yea
119
Nay
19
Present, not voting
1
Absent
6
Excused
5
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 4019

Representative Bhojani moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 3133. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 3133 prevailed by (Record 4019): 119 Yeas, 19 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 119 (published)
  • Nay: 19 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
29
Nay
2
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 29 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
29
Nay
2
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Huffman moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 3133 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 29 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

Senator Huffman moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 3133 at this time on its second reading: CSHB 3133, Relating to user reports of explicit deep fake material on social media platforms. The motion prevailed. Senators Eckhardt and Hagenbuch asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 2, 2025

Yea
122
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
22
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1334

HB 3133 was passed by (Record 1334): 122 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 122 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 22 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 1, 2025

Yea
141
Nay
1
Present, not voting
1
Absent
3
Excused
4
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1238

HB 3133 was passed to engrossment by (Record 1238): 141 Yeas, 1 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 141 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses9
For
9
Against
0
On
0
Names

For

  • Children at Risk1 registration
  • Girls Empowerment Network1 registration
  • Self6 registrations
  • Texas Medical Association1 registration
Sources

9 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 27, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version S by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 20, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:10 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Sponsors
Cosponsors

House committee · Trade, Workforce & Economic Development · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · State Affairs · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Artificial Intelligence (IQ7C5)

Business & Commerce--General

Business & Commerce--Trade Practices

Crimes--Against Persons--Sexual

Electronic Information Systems

Minors--Crimes Against

Minors--Health & Safety

INTERNET

Text

The text as introduced · 845 words

89R6192 MLH-D

By: Bhojani
H.B. No. 3133

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to user reports of explicit deep fake material on social

media platforms.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 120, Business & Commerce

Code, is amended by adding Section 120.1001 to read as follows:

Sec. 120.1001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Deep fake generator" means an Internet website or

application that allows a user to create or generate deep fake

material using software provided by the website or application.

The term does not include a separate platform on which deep fake

material is posted, sent, or distributed.

(2) "Deep fake material" means visual material,

created with the intent to deceive, that appears to depict a real

person performing an action that did not occur in reality.

(3) "Explicit deep fake material" means deep fake

material that appears to depict a real person engaging in sexual

conduct or other conduct resulting in the exposure of the person's

intimate parts.

(4) "Intimate parts," "sexual conduct," and "visual

material" have the meanings assigned by Section 21.16, Penal Code.

SECTION 2. Section 120.101, Business & Commerce Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 120.101. COMPLAINT SYSTEM. A social media platform

shall provide an easily accessible complaint system to enable a

user to submit a complaint in good faith and track the status of the

complaint, including a complaint regarding:

(1) illegal content or activity; [ or ]

(2) explicit deep fake material; or

(3) a decision made by the social media platform to

remove content posted by the user.

SECTION 3. Section 120.102, Business & Commerce Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 120.102. PROCESSING OF COMPLAINTS. (a) A social media

platform that receives notice of illegal content or illegal

activity on the social media platform shall make a good faith effort

to evaluate the legality of the content or activity within 48 hours

of receiving the notice, excluding hours during a Saturday or

Sunday and subject to reasonable exceptions based on concerns about

the legitimacy of the notice.

(b) A social media platform that receives notice of explicit

deep fake material on the social media platform shall:

(1) remove the content reported by the user as

explicit deep fake material;

(2) not later than 48 hours after the user submits the

notice, confirm to the user that the social media platform is aware

of the material;

(3) conduct an investigation as required by Section

120.1025; and

(4) not later than the seventh day after the date the

user submitted the report to the social media platform, provide a

written notice to the user updating the user on the status of the

social media platform's investigation under Section 120.1025.

SECTION 4. Subchapter C, Chapter 120, Business & Commerce

Code, is amended by adding Section 120.1025 to read as follows:

Sec. 120.1025. INVESTIGATION OF EXPLICIT DEEP FAKE

MATERIAL. (a) A social media platform that receives notice of

explicit deep fake material on the social media platform shall

conduct an investigation to determine whether the content reported

by the user is explicit deep fake material.

(b) A social media platform may collect additional

information necessary to complete an investigation under this

section.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a social media

platform shall complete an investigation under this section not

later than the 30th day after the date the user submitted the report

to the social media platform.

(d) If a social media platform cannot complete an

investigation under this section due to circumstances that are

reasonably beyond the social media platform's control, the social

media platform shall complete the investigation not later than the

60th day after the date the user submitted the report to the social

media platform. The social media platform shall provide notice to

the user who submitted the report of the anticipated delay not later

than 48 hours after the social media platform becomes aware of the

circumstances that cause the delay.

(e) If a social media platform determines after an

investigation under this section that the reported material is not

explicit deep fake material, the social media platform may restore

the material.

(f) If a social media platform determines after an

investigation under this section that the reported material is

explicit deep fake material, the social media platform shall

implement measures to ensure the same material is not posted on the

social media platform again.

SECTION 5. Section 120.103(b), Business & Commerce Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) A social media platform is not required to provide a

user with notice or an opportunity to appeal under Subsection (a) if

the social media platform:

(1) is unable to contact the user after taking

reasonable steps to make contact; [ or ]

(2) knows that the potentially policy-violating

content relates to an ongoing law enforcement investigation ; or

(3) removed the content under Section 120.102(b) due

to a complaint that the content was explicit deep fake material .

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.