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TexasSB 237389th Legislature Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to financial exploitation or financial abuse using artificially generated media or phishing communications; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

Sponsored By: Giovanni Capriglione, Nathan Johnson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Artificial IntelligenceCivil Remedies & LiabilitiesCourts--GeneralCrimes--Against Persons--GeneralFinancial--GeneralProtection of Personal InformationEMAIL & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Scam victims gain rights to sue

Beginning September 1, 2025, victims can sue over knowing or intentional sharing of deceptive computer-made media or phishing messages for financial exploitation. Covered media include images, audio, video, and text; phishing tricks people into sharing personal, financial, or identifying information. Claims must arise on or after September 1, 2025. Victims can recover actual damages, including mental anguish, the defendant’s related profits, court costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees. Courts can order further sharing to stop. The law excludes specified internet and telecommunications providers and licensed radio or TV stations for content supplied by someone else.

Digital financial abusers face criminal charges

Beginning September 1, 2025, knowingly committing financial abuse through deceptive computer-made media or digital phishing is a crime. This covers sharing the media with another person or digitally tricking someone into providing personal, financial, or identifying information. The offense level depends on the value of property taken, obtained, kept, or used. Below $100 is a Class B misdemeanor; $100 to under $750 is a Class A misdemeanor. Values of $750 to under $2,500 are a state jail felony; $2,500 to under $30,000 are a third-degree felony. Values of $30,000 to under $150,000 are a second-degree felony; $150,000 or more is a first-degree felony. Specified internet and telecommunications providers and licensed radio or TV stations are excluded for content supplied by someone else.

Privacy protection for people in scam cases

Beginning September 1, 2025, people who are subjects of these civil lawsuits or penalty cases can choose a confidential identity. Courts must notify them of this option and allow a substitute name without identifying details in filings, hearings, and records. Their real identity is limited to the court, parties, lawyers, and others authorized by written court order. Sharing it without written court permission can be punished as contempt. The Texas Supreme Court cannot adopt rules that conflict with these protections.

Scam senders face daily civil penalties

Beginning September 1, 2025, knowingly or intentionally sharing deceptive computer-made media or phishing messages for financial exploitation carries civil penalties. The penalty is up to $1,000 for each day the material is shared. The Texas attorney general can sue to collect it. Specified internet and telecommunications providers and licensed radio or TV stations are excluded for content supplied by someone else.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Giovanni Capriglione

    House

  • Nathan Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Brent Hagenbuch

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Hinojosa

    Republican • Senate

  • Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joan Huffman

    Republican • Senate

  • Phil King

    Republican • Senate

  • Lois Kolkhorst

    Republican • Senate

  • Borris L. Miles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Penny Morales Shaw

    House

  • Tan Parker

    Republican • Senate

  • Charles Schwertner

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 287 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/31/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 5/28/2025

Record vote

Yes: 138 • No: 0

House vote • 5/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 131 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Delivery of Government Efficiency

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Criminal Justice

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    6/2/2025House

  4. Signed in the House

    6/2/2025House

  5. Signed in the Senate

    6/1/2025Senate

  6. Reported enrolled

    6/1/2025Senate

  7. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

    5/31/2025House

  8. Record vote

    5/31/2025Senate

  9. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

    5/31/2025Senate

  10. Read

    5/31/2025Senate

  11. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

    5/31/2025Senate

  12. House passage as amended reported

    5/28/2025Senate

  13. Record vote (RV#3898)

    5/28/2025House

  14. Passed

    5/28/2025House

  15. Read 3rd time

    5/28/2025House

  16. Additional sponsor(s) authorized

    5/28/2025House

  17. Rules suspended

    5/28/2025House

  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/27/2025House

  19. Record vote (RV#3794)

    5/27/2025House

  20. Passed to 3rd reading

    5/27/2025House

  21. Read 2nd time

    5/27/2025House

  22. Placed on General State Calendar

    5/25/2025House

  23. Considered in Calendars

    5/23/2025House

  24. Committee report sent to Calendars

    5/22/2025House

  25. Committee report distributed

    5/21/2025House

Bill Text

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