SB 140 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to certain definitions relating to the regulation of and private rights of action arising from certain solicitation-related communications.

This bill amends Texas law to define "telephone call" for telemarketing regulations, specifically directing readers to Section 304.002 of the Business & Commerce Code for the official definition. It does not create new rules but clarifies terminology used in existing laws governing solicitation calls and related private lawsuits. The definition affects businesses making phone solicitations and consumers who may pursue legal action under current telemarketing laws. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2024

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Nov 12, 2024 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 5 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was finalized in its enrolled version with several substantive changes from the engrossed draft. The most significant changes include adding a new definition for 'telephone solicitation' that broadens the scope to include text, graphic messages, and images, and adding new sections that clarify deceptive trade practices and claimant recovery rights. The bill also updated the effective date to September 1, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include digital communications like text messages and images in addition to traditional telephone calls, and added new provisions for deceptive trade practices and claimant recovery rights.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'telephone solicitation' that includes text messages, graphic messages, and images, not just voice calls.

Modified the definition of 'telephone solicitation' to include transmissions initiated by sellers to induce purchases through various communication methods.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new sections establishing that violations are deceptive trade practices and allowing private rights of action for enforcement.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions ensuring that recovering damages in one lawsuit does not limit recovery in future legal proceedings.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title and formatting from draft version to final enrolled version with proper legislative signatures and certification.

Floor votes · House May 27, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 20, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Jun 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

May 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

May 31, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

lower

May 30, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

upper

May 30, 2025

Introduced

House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

upper

May 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

House passage as amended reported

upper

May 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Committee

Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendments

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Business & Commerce

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

4 primary · 2 co-sponsors