Imagine criticizing a local politician or businessman for shady deals or a nursing home for neglecting their residents, only to be slapped with a frivolous lawsuit. Through these cases, known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), deep-pocketed or well-connected individuals weaponize the legal system to silence their critics. Instead of countering criticism with their own speech, they drag their critics into court to punish them for exercising their First Amendment rights.
Even though their claims are meritless, the SLAPP victim has to spend time and money defending themselves in court. Often, SLAPP victims will just settle the case to avoid a costly legal battle. The SLAPP then serves as a warning to others who may want to speak out: Be quiet or prepare to spend years in court!
Thankfully, Texas has a powerful shield against this kind of censorship: the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA). The TCPA helps SLAPP victims get these cases quickly tossed out, and requires those who bring SLAPPs to pay their victim’s legal bills.
For over a decade, the TCPA has protected Texans from censorship — whistleblowers exposing fraud, journalists uncovering corruption, and everyday citizens speaking out.
But Texas House Bill 2459, House Bill 2988, and Senate Bill 336 would gut those protections. The result? More intimidation, more harassment, and more censorship.
We can’t let that happen. Texans deserve the right to speak freely without fear of retaliation. That is why we are asking Texans to email your state legislators today and tell them to OPPOSE SB 336, HB 2459, and HB 2988.
