SB 3003
Paxton Bill Requires Age Checks For Online Obscene Device Sales
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 age verification for the online sale of obscene devices.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
No age check at checkout? Class A misdemeanor, plus up to $5K per violation.
The bill creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for selling or delivering an obscene device online to anyone under 18, or to anyone at all without an age check at checkout. It reaches online sellers of these devices, who must use a commercially reasonable age verification method such as a government photo ID, a third-party verification service, or adult-only payment methods backed by a second check. Starting September 1, 2025, sellers who skip age verification face the offense plus a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation, with a defense when a minor shows a fake or borrowed ID that looks valid.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 14, 2025 and referred to the Senate State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB3003 · 2025-03-14
SOLD BY
+ 1 coauthor
ITEM
relating to age verification for the online sale of obscene devices.
WHAT IT DOES
No age check at checkout? Class A misdemeanor, plus up to $5K per violation.
The bill creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for selling or delivering an obscene device online to anyone under 18, or to anyone at all without an age check at checkout. It reaches online sellers of these devices, who must use a commercially reasonable age verification method such as a government photo ID, a third-party verification service, or adult-only payment methods backed by a second check. Starting September 1, 2025, sellers who skip age verification face the offense plus a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation, with a defense when a minor shows a fake or borrowed ID that looks valid.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to State Affairs
- Co-author authorized
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
“third-party age verification services that use public records or other reliable sources to verify the purchaser's identity and age”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill pushes online buyers to hand government ID or identity data to sellers and outside verification vendors before they can buy.
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 · Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 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.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$40,000.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$40,000.00
- Cash
- $40,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $40,000.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Jun 30, 2025. 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: 100982305, 101012314.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$40,000.00
- Cash
- $40,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $40,000.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Jun 30, 2025. 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: 100982305, 101012314.
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 Senate · Filed Mar 14, 2025
04/07/2025 S Referred to State Affairs
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Civil Remedies & Liabilities
Crimes--Against Persons--Sexual
Minors--Crimes Against
Minors--Health & Safety
INTERNET
Text
The text as introduced · 383 words
By: Paxton S.B. No. 3003 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to age verification for the online sale of obscene devices. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 43, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 43.29 to read as follows: Sec. 43.29. ONLINE SALE OF OBSCENE DEVICES TO MINORS PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if, with criminal negligence, the person sells or delivers an obscene device online: (1) to an individual under the age of 18; or (2) to any person without implementing an age verification process at the point of sale to reasonably ensure that the purchaser is 18 years of age or older. (b) For the purposes of this section, "age verification process" means a commercially reasonable age verification method as referenced under Section 129B.003 of the Civil Practices and Remedies Code to verify a purchaser's age including, but not limited to: (1) the requirement to submit a government-issued photographic identification; (2) third-party age verification services that use public records or other reliable sources to verify the purchaser's identity and age; or (3) exclusive use of payment methods that are restricted to individuals 18 years of age of older, provided such verification is supplemented by another age verification method. (c) It is a defence to prosecution under this section that the minor falsely represented themselves to be 18 years of age or older by providing a government-issued identification card or other documentation that: (1) appears to be valid on its face; or (2) the minor presents a form of identification that is valid but was not issued to the minor. (d) A violation of this section is a Class A Misdemeanour. (e) A person who violates this section is also subject to a civil penalty of an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each violation under Chapter 43. SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an action brought on or after the effective date of this Act. An action brought before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the action immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.