SB140 - Relating to certain definitions relating to the regulation of and private rights of action arising from certain solicitation-related communications.

      S.B. No. 140         AN ACT   relating to certain definitions relating to the regulation of and   private rights of action arising from certain solicitation-related   communications.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 302.001, Business & Commerce Code, is   amended by adding Subdivision (6-a) and amending Subdivision (7) to   read as follows:                 (6-a)     "Telephone call" has the meaning assigned by   Section 304.002.                (7)  "Telephone solicitation" means a [ telephone ] call   or other transmission, including a transmission of a text or   graphic message or of an image, initiated by a seller or salesperson   [ initiates ] to induce a person to purchase, rent, claim, or receive   an item. The term includes a telephone call a purchaser makes in   response to a solicitation sent by mail or made by any other means.          SECTION 2.  Section 302.003, Business & Commerce Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 302.003.  LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION.   (a)     This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote   its underlying purpose to protect persons and the public against   false, misleading, or deceptive practices in the telephone   solicitation business.           (b)     The fact that a claimant has recovered under a private   action arising from a violation of this chapter more than once may   not limit recovery in a future legal proceeding in any manner.          SECTION 3.  Section 304.005, Business & Commerce Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 304.005.  LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION. (a)   This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote   its underlying purpose to protect persons and the public against   false, misleading, abusive, or deceptive practices in the   telemarketing business.           (b)     The fact that a claimant has recovered under a private   action arising from a violation of this chapter more than once may   not limit recovery in a future legal proceeding in any manner.          SECTION 4.  Subchapter F, Chapter 304, Business & Commerce   Code, is amended by adding Section 304.2581 to read as follows:           Sec.   304.2581.     DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES. (a) A violation   of this chapter is a false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice   under Subchapter E, Chapter 17.           (b)     A public or private right or remedy prescribed by   Subchapter E, Chapter 17, may be used to enforce this chapter.          SECTION 5.  Subchapter B, Chapter 305, Business & Commerce   Code, is amended by adding Sections 305.054 and 305.055 to read as   follows:           Sec.   305.054.     DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES. (a) A violation   of this chapter is a false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice   under Subchapter E, Chapter 17.           (b)     A public or private right or remedy prescribed by   Subchapter E, Chapter 17, may be used to enforce this chapter.           Sec.   305.055.     CLAIMANT RECOVERY FOR VIOLATION. The fact   that a claimant has recovered under a private action arising from a   violation of this chapter more than once may not limit recovery in a   future legal proceeding in any manner.          SECTION 6.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   conduct that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 140 passed the Senate on   March 11, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that   the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 30, 2025, by the   following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 140 passed the House, with   amendment, on May 27, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 136,   Nays 0, two present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor