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SB 893 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to criminal offenses for creating and distributing certain misleading images, audio recordings, and videos; creating a criminal offense.

SB 893 creates new criminal offenses in Texas for creating and distributing misleading election-related media. It targets individuals who intentionally produce and share manipulated videos ("deep fake videos") or altered images designed to deceive voters or influence election results within 30 days of an election. The law classifies creating deep fake videos as a Class B misdemeanor and altering images as a Class A misdemeanor, but includes a defense if the altered image is clearly labeled as manipulated. Exclusions cover satirical content (like cartoons) and minor edits (e.g., adjusting brightness), focusing only on content meant to mislead voters during elections.
Issues: ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill criminalizes creation/distribution of deepfakes for election interference, restricting a specific technology application within 30 days of elections.85% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 24, 2025 Last action Apr 9, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Mar 24, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was updated to expand its scope from only covering deep fake videos to also include altered images and deep fake audio recordings. It now provides clearer definitions for each type of media, adds a civil remedy allowing depicted individuals to seek injunctive relief, and includes new affirmative defenses for labeled altered images. The effective date and retroactivity provisions remain unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from deep fake videos only to include altered images and deep fake audio recordings, broadening the types of deceptive media covered under criminal penalties.
SCOPE

Added criminal offenses for creating or distributing altered images and deep fake audio recordings, not just deep fake videos.

DEFINITION

Created new definitions for 'deep fake audio recording' including specific exclusions for audio caricatures and superficial quality changes.

Updated the definition of 'deep fake video' to clarify that it depicts actions the person did not perform, and added exclusions for satirical representations and superficial quality changes.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new subsection allowing individuals depicted in altered media to bring civil actions for injunctive relief to prevent further violations.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the affirmative defense provision to explicitly require clear labeling of altered images as a defense against prosecution.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
3
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Elections
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.