Monitoring the Session

HB 4281

Crowdfunded For Someone, Planning To Keep It? Owe Them 125%

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. John McQueeneyRHouse 97

Initial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to a civil cause of action for fraudulent crowdfunding.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

They or their estate can sue for it, plus attorney’s fees and punitive damages.

The bill lets a person whose name or tragedy was used to raise money sue anyone who collected donations for them while intending to keep the money. A winning donee, or the donee's estate, gets 125 percent of what was collected plus attorney's fees, and can still seek extra punitive damages. It touches people who run crowdfunding campaigns on behalf of others, and it applies to claims that arise on or after September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 3 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4281 · 2025-03-10

SOLD BY

Rep. John McQueeneyRHouse 97 Rep. Suleman LalaniDHouse 76 Rep. Terri Leo WilsonRHouse 23

+ 1 more author, 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to a civil cause of action for fraudulent crowdfunding.

WHAT IT DOES

They or their estate can sue for it, plus attorney’s fees and punitive damages.

The bill lets a person whose name or tragedy was used to raise money sue anyone who collected donations for them while intending to keep the money. A winning donee, or the donee's estate, gets 125 percent of what was collected plus attorney's fees, and can still seek extra punitive damages. It touches people who run crowdfunding campaigns on behalf of others, and it applies to claims that arise on or after September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 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 Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in formal meeting
  9. Committee substitute considered in committee
  10. Reported favorably as substituted
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Amended 1-McQueeney
  18. Passed to engrossment as amended
  19. Record vote RV#2369
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#2453
  24. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  25. Reported engrossed
  26. Received from the House
  27. Read first time
  28. Referred to State Affairs
  29. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Testimony taken in committee
  32. Vote taken in committee
  33. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  34. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  35. Committee report printed and distributed
  36. Co-sponsor authorized
  37. Placed on intent calendar
  38. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  39. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  40. Vote recorded in Journal
  41. Three day rule suspended
  42. Record vote
  43. Read 3rd time
  44. Passed
  45. Record vote
  46. Senate passage reported
  47. Reported enrolled
  48. Signed in the House
  49. Signed in the Senate
  50. Sent to the Governor
  51. Signed by the Governor
  52. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

SPEECH AND LAWFARE

THE TEXT

“A person who engages in fraudulent crowdfunding is liable to the donee on whose behalf the donations were made or the donee's estate.”

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill creates a new private lawsuit with fee-shifting and a 125 percent recovery for donees whose donations were kept by a fundraiser.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 143 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 14, 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.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

John McQueeney

Donors

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$331KTexas Sands PAC$214KAssociated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$158K

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 · Oct 28, 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 Conservative Majority PAC$330,900.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$330,900.00

Cash
$250,000.00
Paid by others
$80,900.00
Total
$330,900.00
canvassing $75,000.00polling $5,900.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 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: 101070592, 101073198.

Texas Sands PAC$214,000.00

Texas Sands PAC

$214,000.00

Cash
$214,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$214,000.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 22, 2025 to Oct 7, 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: 101029510, 101059372, 101073198.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$157,954.79

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$157,954.79

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$157,954.79
Total
$157,954.79
mailers $129,351.79polling $10,800.00Other filed descriptions $10,303.00digital $7,500.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jul 27, 2026 to Oct 12, 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: 101070592, 101073198.

Money

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

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$330,900.00

Cash
$250,000.00
Paid by others
$80,900.00
Total
$330,900.00
canvassing $75,000.00polling $5,900.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 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: 101070592, 101073198.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$214,000.00

Cash
$214,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$214,000.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 22, 2025 to Oct 7, 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: 101029510, 101059372, 101073198.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$157,954.79

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$157,954.79
Total
$157,954.79
mailers $129,351.79polling $10,800.00Other filed descriptions $10,303.00digital $7,500.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jul 27, 2026 to Oct 12, 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: 101070592, 101073198.

Votes5

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
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.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 26, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
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.

Sources

Senator Hancock moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4281 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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 Hancock moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 4281 at this time on its second reading: HB 4281, Relating to a civil cause of action for fraudulent crowdfunding. The motion prevailed. Senator 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 14, 2025

Yea
143
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
3
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2453

HB 4281 was passed by (Record 2453): 143 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 143 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

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

House May 13, 2025

Yea
140
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
6
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2369

CSHB 4281, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 2369): 140 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 140 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses1
For
1
Against
0
On
0
Names

For

  • Self1 registration
Sources

1 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

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

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 E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 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 E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 10, 2025

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

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

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Aicha DavisDHouse 109
Sponsors
Kelly HancockRSenate 9
Cosponsors
Royce WestDSenate 23

House committee · Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · State Affairs · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

FRAUD

GIFTS & DONATIONS

Text

The text as introduced · 224 words

By: McQueeney
H.B. No. 4281

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a civil cause of action for fraudulent crowdfunding.

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

SECTION 1. Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 100B to read as follows:

CHAPTER 100B. LIABILITY FOR FRAUDULENT CROWDFUNDING

Sec. 100B.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "fraudulent

crowdfunding" means collecting donations on behalf of a donee with

the intent to keep the donations instead of giving the donations to

the donee on whose behalf the donations were made.

Sec. 100B.002. LIABILITY FOR FRAUDULENT CROWDFUNDING. A

person who engages in fraudulent crowdfunding is liable to the

donee on whose behalf the donations were made.

Sec. 100B.003. DAMAGES. (a) A court shall award a claimant

who prevails in an action brought under this chapter 125 percent of

the amount of donations the defendant collected on behalf of the

claimant through the fraudulent crowdfunding.

(b) Nothing in this section prevents a claimant from

pursuing a claim for exemplary damages under Chapter 41 relating to

the defendant's fraudulent crowdfunding.

SECTION 2. Chapter 100B, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,

as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues

on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.