Overview

• Texas House Bill 366 mandates disclaimers for digitally altered media in political ads, with noncompliance punishable by up to one year in jail.
• The bill, introduced by Rep. Dade Phelan after he was targeted by a deepfake, passed the Texas House with a 102-40 vote in late April 2025.
• Amendments to the bill exclude superficial edits such as adjustments to saturation, brightness, or color.
• Critics, including some Republicans, argue the legislation could chill political speech and lead to the criminalization of memes.
• The bill now awaits a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate and Governor Greg Abbott's signature, with its future uncertain.