HB 4189
Internet providers must offer a free explicit image filter
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial 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 content filters provided by Internet service providers.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Optional. Customers choose to turn it on.
The bill requires every Internet service provider to offer its customers a free, optional filter that blocks sexually explicit images and videos. It touches Internet providers serving paying customers in Texas, and the customers who choose to turn the filter on. Starting September 1, 2025, providers must offer the filter, which must block the material and tell the user when something is blocked, though the text sets no penalty or enforcement method.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 10, 2025 and referred to the House State Affairs subcommittee on Telecommunications & Broadband. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB4189 · 2025-03-10
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to content filters provided by Internet service providers.
WHAT IT DOES
Optional. Customers choose to turn it on.
The bill requires every Internet service provider to offer its customers a free, optional filter that blocks sexually explicit images and videos. It touches Internet providers serving paying customers in Texas, and the customers who choose to turn the filter on. Starting September 1, 2025, providers must offer the filter, which must block the material and tell the user when something is blocked, though the text sets no penalty or enforcement method.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to s/c on Telecommunications & Broadband by Speaker
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Derived from itemized gifts, Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
$113,206 raised in 4 of 4 reports since Oct 27, 2024. Derived sum of published report totals. Flow, Oct 27, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026. 4 of 4 filed reports carry a published figure. Partial total. Regular reports do not cover Jul 9, 2025 to Aug 15, 2025, Aug 15, 2025 to Sep 4, 2025.
$220,212 spent since Oct 27, 2024. Derived sum of published report totals. Flow, Oct 27, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026. 4 of 4 filed reports carry a published figure.
$54,238 cash on hand. Published report total. Stock, as of Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.
$0 loans outstanding. Published report total. Stock, as of Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived sum of itemized contributions in regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Unitemized contributions are not included. Flow, Oct 27, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
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.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Mar 10, 2025
03/31/2025 H Referred to s/c on Telecommunications & Broadband by Speaker: Mar 31 2025 4:34PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Business & Commerce--General
Electronic Information Systems
INTERNET
Text
The text as introduced · 299 words
89R13974 MLH-D By: Schatzline H.B. No. 4189 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to content filters provided by Internet service providers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 10, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by adding Chapter 330 to read as follows: CHAPTER 330. CONTENT FILTERS PROVIDED BY INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS Sec. 330.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Customer" means a person in this state who purchases Internet service from an Internet service provider. (2) "Explicit material" means visual material depicting: (A) the intimate parts of a person; (B) sexual conduct; or (C) simulated sexual conduct. (3) "Filter" means software provided to a customer by an Internet service provider that is capable of preventing the customer from accessing or displaying explicit material. (4) "Internet service provider" means a person providing connectivity to the Internet or another wide area network. (5) "Sexual conduct" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.16, Penal Code. (6) "Simulated" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.16, Penal Code. (7) "Visual material" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.16, Penal Code. Sec. 330.002. OPTIONAL CONTENT FILTER. (a) An Internet service provider shall make available to each customer a filter that the customer can choose to enable on the customer's Internet service. (b) A filter described by Subsection (a), when enabled, must: (1) prevent a customer from accessing, downloading, or displaying explicit material when using the Internet service provided by the Internet service provider; and (2) notify the customer using the Internet service when the filter prevents the customer from accessing or displaying explicit material. (c) An Internet service provider shall make the filter described by Subsection (a) available at no additional cost to the customer. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.