HB 5238 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the criminal offense of disrupting a meeting or procession.

HB 5238 makes it a criminal offense to intentionally disrupt a lawful meeting, procession, or gathering (including virtual events) by physical action, verbal speech, or electronic means like hacking. The law specifically targets interference with virtual components of events, such as disrupting online meetings through digital attacks. It applies only to disruptions occurring on or after September 1, 2025, meaning past actions are governed by existing law. This bill directly affects individuals who obstruct or interfere with public gatherings, whether in person or online, by these specified methods.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Apr 7, 2025 Signed May 29, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 1 edit · May 29, 2025
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted from an 'Engrossed' version to an 'Enrolled' version, which is the final version signed by the Governor. No substantive policy changes were made to the criminal offense definitions or effective dates; only formatting, spacing, and certification signatures were added.
TECHNICAL

The bill was converted from an Engrossed version to an Enrolled version, adding certification signatures from legislative officers and the Governor, indicating final passage and approval.

Floor votes · House May 1, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
46
Key actions
15
Committee
10
May 29, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage reported
lower
May 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
May 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Delivery of Government Efficiency
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
3 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors