Relating to: intentionally sending false text messages to 911 and providing a penalty.
AB 791 makes it illegal to intentionally send false text messages to 911 reporting a non-existent emergency. It directly affects individuals who send such deceptive messages, imposing fines ($100-$600) or up to 90 days in jail for a first offense. For repeat offenses within four years, the penalty escalates to a Class H felony charge. The bill targets misuse of emergency services by adding specific penalties for text-based false reports, which previously lacked clear legal consequences. This law aims to deter non-emergency text spam that wastes critical resources.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 23, 2025
Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
11
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Ayes 13, Noes 2
lower
Dec 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Donovan, Goodwin, Sortwell, Sinicki, Behnke, DeSmidt, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Kaufert, Kurtz, Maxey, Murphy, O'Connor, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Stubbs, Subeck and Knodl;
cosponsored by Senator Wanggaard
lower
19 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Barbara Dittrich
RRepublican
P
Ben DeSmidt
DDemocratic
P
Bob Donovan
RRepublican
P
Christine Sinicki
DDemocratic
P
Dan Knodl
RRepublican
P
Dave Maxey
RRepublican
P
Dave Murphy
RRepublican
P
Dean Kaufert
RRepublican
P
Elijah Behnke
RRepublican
P
Jerry O'Connor
RRepublican
P
Jim Piwowarczyk
RRepublican
P
Joy Goeben
RRepublican
P
Lisa Subeck
DDemocratic
P
Rick Gundrum
RRepublican
P
Russell Goodwin
DDemocratic
P
Shae Sortwell
RRepublican
P
Shelia Stubbs
DDemocratic
P
Tony Kurtz
RRepublican
P
Will Penterman
RRepublican
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