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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 Practices 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 a publication on which a libel action is based is a |
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defense to the action. |
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(b) Subject to subsection (c), it is a defense to a libel |
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action that the publication accurately reported the allegations of |
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a third party regarding a matter of public concern. |
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(c) Subsection (b) does not apply if: |
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( |
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i) the publication was made with actual malice; and |
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(ii) the fact that the allegation was made is not |
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itself a matter of public concern. |
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SECTION 2. 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. |