slate ads must say the candidates paid to be there

The text as introduced · 237 words

89R866 MPF-D

By: Leo Wilson
H.B. No. 686

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to required disclosures on certain political advertising

by political committees; providing a civil penalty.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 255, Election Code, is amended by adding

Section 255.009 to read as follows:

Sec. 255.009. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE ON CERTAIN POLITICAL

ADVERTISING BY POLITICAL COMMITTEES; CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A

political committee may not publish, distribute, or broadcast

political advertising supporting a slate of five or more candidates

who made a contribution to the political committee for the purpose

of obtaining that support unless the political advertising includes

a disclosure statement indicating:

(1) the full name of each candidate the political

advertising supports;

(2) that the candidates made a contribution to the

political committee for the purpose of obtaining that support; and

(3) if any of the candidates created the political

committee, the full name of each candidate who created the

political committee.

(b) A political committee that violates this section is

liable to this state for a civil penalty in an amount determined by

the commission not to exceed $4,000.

SECTION 2. Section 255.009, Election Code, as added by this

Act, applies only to political advertising that is published,

distributed, or broadcast by a political committee on or after the

effective date of this Act

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