Texas HB20: Relating to certain measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations during disasters, including establishing a voluntary certification program for disaster relief organizations.

What the bill says

An act relating to certain measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations during disasters, including establishing a voluntary certification program for disaster relief organizations.

From the amended text, August 9, 2025:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to certain measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations during disasters, including establishing a voluntary certification program for disaster relief organizations. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 418.0431 to read as follows: [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 418.0431.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON IDENTIFYING AND ] [ADDED: AVOIDING FRAUDULENT CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS. The division, in ] [ADDED: consultation with the consumer protection division of the attorney ] [ADDED: general's office, shall create and make available to the public on ] [ADDED: the respective agencies' Internet websites educational materials ] [ADDED: regarding how to identify and avoid fraudulent charitable ] [ADDED: solicitations during a disaster.] SECTION 2. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter L to read as follows: [ADDED: SUBCHAPTER L. ][ADDED: ][ADDED: VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION OF DISASTER RELIEF ] [ADDED: ORGANIZATIONS] [ADDED: Sec. 418.401. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:] [ADDED: (1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: "Certification" means the certification issued to ] [ADDED: a disaster relief organization under this subchapter.] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: "Certification program" means the certification ] [ADDED: program established under this subchapter.] [ADDED: (3) "Declared disaster" means:] [ADDED: (A)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: a disaster declared by the president of the ] [] [ADDED: (B)][ADDED: …

Sponsors

• Drew Darby (R, HD-072) · primary sponsor
• Jeff Barry (R, HD-029)
• Morgan Meyer (R, HD-108)
• Brooks Landgraf (R, HD-081)
• Gary Vandeaver (R, HD-001)
• Trent Ashby (R, HD-057)
• Cecil Bell (R, HD-003)
• Greg Bonnen (R, HD-024)
• Brad Buckley (R, HD-054)
• Angie Button (R, HD-112)
• David Cook (R, HD-096)
• Charles Cunningham (R, HD-127)

Latest actions

1. August 12, 2025: Placed on Major State Calendar
2. August 11, 2025: Considered in Calendars
3. August 10, 2025: Committee report sent to Calendars
4. August 9, 2025: Committee report distributed
5. August 9, 2025: Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
6. August 8, 2025: Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
7. August 8, 2025: Considered in formal meeting
8. August 5, 2025: Left pending in committee
9. August 5, 2025: Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
10. August 5, 2025: Considered in public hearing

Votes

• Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee Vote (Out of committee): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB20?

HB20 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 1st Special Session): Relating to certain measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations during disasters, including establishing a voluntary certification program for disaster relief organizations.

What does HB20 do?

In its own words: An act relating to certain measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations during disasters, including establishing a voluntary certification program for disaster relief organizations.

What is the status of HB20?

In committee as of August 12, 2025. Latest action: Placed on Major State Calendar (August 12, 2025).

Who sponsored HB20?

Drew Darby (R, HD-072), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB20?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HB00020