Troxclair Bill Makes Political Messages On School Resources A Misdemeanor

The text as introduced · 300 words

89R2418 MPF-D

By: Troxclair
H.B. No. 596

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use of public resources by a public school officer

or employee to engage in certain political activities.

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

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 255.003, Election Code,

is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 255.003. UNLAWFUL USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES [ FUNDS ] FOR

POLITICAL ADVERTISING AND CERTAIN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES .

SECTION 2. Section 255.003, Election Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (c) to read as

follows:

(a-1) An officer or employee of a school district or

open-enrollment charter school may not use or authorize the use of

public resources to distribute a communication in any form,

including an electronic communication, that directly or indirectly

advocates for or against a candidate, measure, or political party.

This subsection does not prevent an officer or employee of a school

district or open-enrollment charter school from distributing a

communication on:

(1) the date of an election;

(2) the location of the polling places for an

election; or

(3) the hours that the polls will be open for an

election.

(c) A person who violates Subsection (a) , (a-1), or (b-1)

commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A

misdemeanor.

SECTION 3. Section 255.003, Election Code, as amended by

this Act, applies only to the use of public funds or resources on or

after the effective date of this Act. The use of public funds or

resources before the effective date of this Act is governed by the

law in effect on the date the funds or resources were used, and that

law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.