H.B. No. 4960 amends the Election Code to include provisions regarding political advertising disseminated through mass text message campaigns. Specifically, it expands the definition of "political advertising" to encompass communications sent as part of a mass text message campaign, which is defined as an organized effort to send text messages to multiple recipients in support of or opposition to a candidate, political party, public officer, or measure, involving expenditures beyond basic hardware and software costs.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that states all text messages sent as part of a single mass text message campaign that violates certain regulations will be considered one violation for the purpose of assessing civil penalties. The changes will apply only to political advertising distributed or broadcast on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 251.001, Election Code 255.001 (Election Code 255, Election Code 251)
House Committee Report: Election Code 251.001, Election Code 255.001 (Election Code 255, Election Code 251)
Engrossed: Election Code 251.001, Election Code 255.001 (Election Code 255, Election Code 251)