BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1602
	By: Hughes
	State Affairs
	6/13/2023
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1602 amends current law relating to venue and choice of law for certain actions involving censorship by social media platforms.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 143A, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by adding Section 143A.0035, as follows:

Sec. 143A.0035. VENUE AND CHOICE OF LAW. Requires that an action brought under Chapter 143A (Discourse on Social Media Platforms) against a social media platform be brought and maintained in a court in this state, and the law of this state applies to the action, notwithstanding any other law, any contract, or any venue, forum selection, or choice-of-law provision in a contract.

SECTION 2. Makes application of Section 143A.0035, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this Act, prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.