TexasHB 2089th Legislature 2nd Called SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations and theft during declared disasters, including establishing a designation program for disaster relief nonprofit organizations and financial institutions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.

Sponsored By: Jeff Barry, Drew Darby, AJ Louderback, Armando "Mando" Martinez, John McQueeney, Charles Perry (Republican)

Became Law

Charitable & Nonprofit OrganizationsCivil Remedies & LiabilitiesConsumer ProtectionCrimes--MiscellaneousDisaster Preparedness & ReliefElectronic Information SystemsDISASTER SCAM RESPONSE ACTFRAUDGIFTS & DONATIONSATTORNEY GENERALEMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, TEXAS DIVISION OFSECRETARY OF STATE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Felonies and treble damages for disaster scams

The law creates a crime for malicious solicitation during a disaster. It covers lying about how donations will be used, raising money for a charity but keeping it, posing as a disaster volunteer to bill for “free” services, or charging to find a missing relative. A first offense is a third-degree felony; a later offense is a second-degree felony. Using a fake official designation or similar aggravated acts can be a first-degree felony. Prosecutors may also bring other charges. Victims and charities, or their estates, can sue and, if they win, get 300% of the money taken plus attorney’s fees.

Higher theft penalties in disaster zones

The law raises penalties for theft in a disaster area when someone uses actual or claimed volunteer status to get property. If the property is worth under $30,000, the theft is a state jail felony. A disaster area includes places under a federal, state, or local disaster declaration, or under an evacuation order. When this specific penalty applies, the separate disaster enhancement in Section 12.50 does not also apply. The updated theft rules apply only to offenses on or after the law’s effective date.

Official local channels for disaster donations

The Secretary of State runs a program that lets each city or county name one nonprofit or bank to take donations during a declared disaster that threatens that area. Local governments must add the designee to their emergency plan and post the name, contact info, and tips to avoid fraud on their website. Groups do not have to be designated to ask for donations; the list is a trusted guide for residents. The Secretary of State adopts rules to run the program soon after the law takes effect.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jeff Barry

    House

  • Drew Darby

    House

  • AJ Louderback

    House

  • Armando "Mando" Martinez

    House

  • John McQueeney

    House

  • Charles Perry

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Daniel Alders

    House

  • Alma A. Allen

    House

  • Rafael Anchía

    House

  • Trent Ashby

    House

  • Keith Bell

    House

  • Keith Bell

    House

  • Salman Bhojani

    House

  • César Blanco

    Democratic • Senate

  • Greg Bonnen

    House

  • Brad Buckley

    House

  • Benjamin Bumgarner

    House

  • Angie Chen Button

    House

  • Briscoe Cain

    House

  • Donna Campbell

    Republican • Senate

  • Terry Canales

    House

  • Giovanni Capriglione

    House

  • David Cook

    House

  • Tom Craddick

    House

  • Charles Cunningham

    House

  • Pat Curry

    House

  • Mano DeAyala

    House

  • Jay Dean

    House

  • Paul Dyson

    House

  • Cassandra Garcia Hernandez

    House

  • Stan Gerdes

    House

  • Ryan Guillen

    House

  • Erin Gámez

    House

  • Bob Hall

    Republican • Senate

  • Sam Harless

    House

  • Cody Harris

    House

  • Caroline Harris Davila

    House

  • Richard Hayes

    House

  • Hillary Hickland

    House

  • Adam Hinojosa

    Republican • Senate

  • Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Donna Howard

    House

  • Lacey Hull

    House

  • Todd Hunter

    House

  • Ann Johnson

    House

  • Helen Kerwin

    House

  • Ken King

    House

  • Stan Kitzman

    House

  • Lois Kolkhorst

    Republican • Senate

  • Marc LaHood

    House

  • Suleman Lalani

    House

  • Stan Lambert

    House

  • Brooks Landgraf

    House

  • Jeff Leach

    House

  • Terri Leo Wilson

    House

  • Janie Lopez

    House

  • John Lujan

    House

  • Shelley Luther

    House

  • Christian Manuel

    House

  • José Menéndez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Will Metcalf

    House

  • Morgan Meyer

    House

  • Penny Morales Shaw

    House

  • Eddie Morales

    House

  • Matt Morgan

    House

  • Sergio Muñoz Jr.

    House

  • Candy Noble

    House

  • Tom Oliverson

    House

  • Angelia Orr

    House

  • Dennis Paul

    House

  • Katrina Pierson

    House

  • Mihaela Plesa

    House

  • Richard Peña Raymond

    House

  • Ron Reynolds

    House

  • Ramon Romero Jr.

    House

  • Nate Schatzline

    House

  • Matt Shaheen

    House

  • Joanne Shofner

    House

  • Shelby Slawson

    House

  • John T. Smithee

    House

  • Kevin Sparks

    Republican • Senate

  • David Spiller

    House

  • Valoree Swanson

    House

  • Senfronia Thompson

    House

  • Steve Toth

    House

  • Chris Turner

    House

  • Gary VanDeaver

    House

  • Cody Vasut

    House

  • Denise Villalobos

    House

  • Trey Wharton

    House

  • Terry M. Wilson

    House

  • Judith Zaffirini

    Democratic • Senate

  • Erin Zwiener

    House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 459 • No: 0

Senate vote 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 129 • No: 0

House vote 8/21/2025

Record vote

Yes: 135 • No: 0

House vote 8/21/2025

Record vote

Yes: 135 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (December 4, 2025)

    9/17/2025House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    9/17/2025House
  3. Sent to the Governor

    9/4/2025House
  4. Signed in the Senate

    9/4/2025Senate
  5. Signed in the House

    9/4/2025House
  6. Reported enrolled

    9/4/2025House
  7. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported

    9/3/2025Senate
  8. Text of Senate Amendment(s)

    9/3/2025House
  9. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    9/3/2025House
  10. Record vote (RV#165)

    9/3/2025House
  11. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)

    9/3/2025House
  12. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed

    9/3/2025House
  13. Senate Amendments distributed

    9/3/2025House
  14. Senate passage as amended reported

    9/3/2025House
  15. Record vote

    9/3/2025Senate
  16. Passed

    9/3/2025Senate
  17. Read 3rd time

    9/3/2025Senate
  18. Record vote

    9/3/2025Senate
  19. Three day rule suspended

    9/3/2025Senate
  20. Vote recorded in Journal

    9/3/2025Senate
  21. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading

    9/3/2025Senate
  22. Rules suspended-Regular order of business

    9/3/2025Senate
  23. Committee report printed and distributed

    9/3/2025Senate
  24. Reported favorably as substituted

    9/3/2025Senate
  25. Co-sponsor authorized

    9/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

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