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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain defenses to libel actions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 73.005, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 73.005. TRUTH A DEFENSE. (a) The truth of the |
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statement in the publication on which an action for libel is based |
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is a defense to the action. |
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(b) In an action brought against a newspaper or other |
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periodical or broadcaster, the defense described by Subsection (a) |
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applies to an accurate reporting of allegations made by a third |
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party regarding a matter of public concern. |
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(c) This section does not abrogate or lessen any other |
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remedy, right, cause of action, defense, immunity, or privilege |
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available under the Constitution of the United States or this state |
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or as provided by any statute, case, or common law or rule. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to accurate reporting by a newspaper or other periodical or |
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broadcaster made on or after the effective date of this Act. The |
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accurate reporting by a newspaper or other periodical or |
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broadcaster made before the effective date of this Act is governed |
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by the law applicable to the accurate reporting immediately before |
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that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |