HB 991 (2023) -  Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses

General Bill by Andrade (CO-SPONSORS) Beltran; Black
Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses: Provides that journalist’s privilege does not apply to defamation claims when defendant is professional journalist or media entity; revises provisions concerning venue for certain actions; provides for attorney fees & costs to prevailing plaintiffs in certain actions; specifies certain persons may not be considered public figures; provides certain allegations are defamatory per se; provides statutory damages to prevailing plaintiffs who are subject of such allegations; creates presumption that statement by anonymous source is presumptively false; provides public figure does not need to show actual malice to prevail in defamation action.
Effective Date: July 1, 2023
Last Event: Died in Judiciary Committee on Friday, May 5, 2023 11:00 AM

Referred Committees and Committee Actions

House Referrals

Related Bills

Bill # Subject Relationship
Bill #: SB 1220 Subject: Defamation and Related Actions Relationship: Similar
Bill #: HB 951 Subject: Defamation Relationship: Compare

Bill Text

Staff Analysis

Chamber Committee
Chamber: House Committee: Civil Justice Subcommittee 3/14/2023 6:24:45 PM
Chamber: House Committee: Civil Justice Subcommittee 3/11/2023 12:46:43 PM

Vote History

(No Votes Recorded)

Bill History

Event Time Member Committee Ver.
Event: H Died in Judiciary Committee Time: 05/05/2023 - 11:00 AM Member: Committee: Judiciary Committee Version: __
Event: H Now in Judiciary Committee Time: 03/14/2023 - 6:57 PM Member: Committee: Judiciary Committee Version: __
Event: H Reported out of Civil Justice Subcommittee Time: 03/14/2023 - 6:57 PM Member: Committee: Civil Justice Subcommittee Version: __
Event: H Favorable by Civil Justice Subcommittee Time: 03/14/2023 - 6:50 PM Member: Committee: Civil Justice Subcommittee Version: __
Event: H Added to Civil Justice Subcommittee agenda Time: 03/10/2023 - 4:15 PM Member: Committee: Civil Justice Subcommittee Version: __
Event: H 1st Reading Time: 03/07/2023 - 10:01 PM Member: Committee: Version: __
Event: H Now in Civil Justice Subcommittee Time: 02/28/2023 - 6:27 PM Member: Committee: Civil Justice Subcommittee Version: __
Event: H Referred to Judiciary Committee Time: 02/28/2023 - 6:27 PM Member: Committee: Judiciary Committee Version: __
Event: H Referred to Civil Justice Subcommittee Time: 02/28/2023 - 6:27 PM Member: Committee: Civil Justice Subcommittee Version: __
Event: H Filed Time: 02/21/2023 - 2:26 PM Member: Andrade Committee: Version: __

Statutes Referenced by this Bill

Statute Other Bill Citations
90.5015 SB 32, SB 1220, HB 7011
720.304 SB 32, CS/CS/HB 437, CS/CS/HB 919*, HB 951, CS/CS/SB 1114*, SB 1220, CS/SB 1454, HB 7011
768.295 CS/HB 401, SB 604, HB 951, SB 1220
770.05 HB 951, SB 1220
770.08 HB 951
770.09 HB 951, SB 1220
770.105
770.11 HB 951, SB 1220
770.12 HB 951, SB 1220
770.13 HB 951, SB 1220
770.15

(*) Not the latest version