The Texas Legislature has passed House Bill 366, a measure aimed at regulating the use of altered political content online
The Texas Legislature has passed House Bill 366, a measure aimed at regulating the use of altered political content online. The bill, which cleared the House on April 30 and has now passed the Senate, is headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. If signed, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.
HB 366 makes it a Class A misdemeanor—punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine—to share political content such as images, videos, audio, or memes that falsely depict a candidate or elected official, unless a state-approved disclaimer is included.
The bill applies to content altered to show things that “didn’t occur in reality,” including AI-generated images, deepfake videos, and satire. There are no exemptions for parody or satire in the bill's current form. Exemptions apply only to certain media platforms, such as internet service providers, television stations, and large social media companies.
Supporters say the measure is intended to combat misinformation during elections, while critics argue it poses a serious threat to free speech and online expression.
Governor Abbott has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill.
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