Bill: HB 3490, 86(R) - 2019

Committee

House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

2nd Chamber Committee

Senate State Affairs

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Negative Negative Negative

Author(s)

Sheryl Cole

Sponsor(s)

Joan Huffman

Co-Sponsor(s)

Jane Nelson

Bill Caption

Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the criminal offense of harassment; creating a criminal offense.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.


Bill Analysis

HB 3490 would create an offense for an individual who "publishes on an Internet website, including a social media platform, repeated electronic communications in a manner reasonably likely to harass, abuse, or torment another person." This offense would be a Class B misdemeanor, except that under certain circumstances it would be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor. HB 3490 would create an offense for an individual who "publishes on an Internet website, including a social media platform, repeated electronic communications in a manner reasonably likely to harass, abuse, or torment another person." This offense would be a Class B misdemeanor, except that under certain circumstances it would be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action opposes HB 3490 because it violates our principles of limited government, personal responsibility and individual liberty. Speech, even boorish speech by social media trolls, is constitutionally protected. This bill would violate the first amendment right to freedom of speech. People who feel harassed or annoyed by others on social media are free to disengage or to block the people they don't want to hear from. 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 06:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/hb3490?print_view=true