TexasHB 2089th Legislature 2nd Called SessionHouse

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)

Signed by Governor

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: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Disaster scam victims can recover triple

Donors and intended donation recipients, or their estates, can sue over malicious disaster fundraising that meets the law’s criminal definition. Winners receive three times the donations covered by their claim, plus reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees. They can also seek extra damages meant to punish the wrongdoer. This remedy covers claims arising on or after the act’s effective date: the 91st day after the legislative session ends.

Disaster scammers and thieves face felonies

With intent to defraud or harm, soliciting fake disaster donations or donations intended to be kept is a felony. So is charging disaster victims after leading them to believe the services were free volunteer help. These crimes are third-degree felonies for a first offense and second-degree felonies for later offenses. Fabricating an official disaster donation designation makes them first-degree felonies. Seeking payment by deceiving victims about finding or returning a relative missing in a disaster is a first-degree felony. Theft of property worth less than $30,000 is a state jail felony when stolen in a disaster area after being entrusted to an actual or claimed disaster volunteer. Disaster areas include places under federal, state, or local disaster declarations or emergency evacuation orders. The general disaster punishment increase does not apply to this theft category, and the theft changes cover offenses committed on or after the act’s effective date.

Official disaster donation lists help residents

The Texas Secretary of State runs a voluntary disaster donation designation program and must issue its rules promptly after the act takes effect. Local governments submit nonprofits or financial institutions for state approval to collect donations during a declared disaster threatening their area. Qualifying declarations come from the President, Texas Governor, or the local governing body’s presiding officer. Local governments must list approved groups in emergency plans and post their names, contact details, and scam-avoidance information online. Other groups can still collect donations without this designation.

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

  • Cecil Bell Jr.

    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

  • Phil King

    Republican • Senate

  • 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

  • Schatzline

    Affiliation unavailable

  • 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

  • VanDeaver

    Affiliation unavailable

  • 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: 18 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 8/21/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 8/21/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Yes: 9 • 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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