The Republican-led Texas House just passed a bill making it ILLEGAL to share altered political memes, images and videos without a disclaimer. The Penalty would be up to one year in jail or a $4,000 fine.

The Texas House recently passed House Bill 366, which criminalizes the distribution of altered political media—like memes, videos, or audio recordings—without a disclaimer. The bill applies to candidates, officeholders, or political committees, as well as anyone spending over $100 on political advertising. Violators could face up to a year in jail or a $4,000 fine.

The bill has sparked intense debate, with supporters arguing it protects election integrity, while critics warn it could suppress free speech and satire. Some see it as a response to AI-generated deepfakes, but its scope includes basic edits and parody.