HB 3592 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to restrictions on political contributions by out-of-state contributors; providing a civil penalty.

HB 3592 restricts out-of-state political contributions to Texas candidates by setting limits: $5,000 for statewide offices, $2,500 for district offices, and $1,000 for county offices. Candidates must return excess contributions within 5 days or by the end of the reporting period, whichever is later. Political committees cannot contribute to candidates if over 50% of their prior contributions came from out-of-state donors. Violations carry civil penalties up to three times the contribution amount, with hearings required before penalties are imposed. The law applies only to contributions made on or after September 1, 2025.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 25, 2025 Last action May 15, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits · May 14, 2025
MODERATE
This bill introduces restrictions on political contributions from out-of-state donors to Texas candidates and officeholders. The legislation sets specific dollar limits based on the type of office being sought and establishes penalties for violations. The text also includes formatting updates and clarifies when contributions are subject to these rules.
Scope change
The bill applies to political contributions made on or after the effective date (September 1, 2025) and only to contributions from persons with principal addresses outside Texas.
REQUIREMENT

Establishes contribution limits of $5,000 for statewide offices, $2,500 for district offices, and $1,000 for county offices from out-of-state contributors

ENFORCEMENT

Requires candidates or officeholders who accept prohibited contributions to return them within specific timeframes

Imposes civil penalties of up to three times the amount of contributions made in violation of the limits

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date of the Act as September 1, 2025

TECHNICAL

Formatting and structural changes to the bill text, including line breaks and spacing adjustments

Floor votes · House May 14, 2025

How they voted

11721
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 142
May 14, 2025
D Democratic58
50 Yea 6 Nay 2
86% Yea
R Republican84
67 Yea 15 Nay 2
79% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
2
May 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
upper
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors