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H.R. 8792House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Transparency in Campaign Text Message Act

Sponsored by Scott R. TiptonRep. Scott R. Tipton (R-CO)
Introduced November 19, 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:55 PM UTC

The Transparency in Campaign Text Message Act would change federal election law so that any political committee that asks for money using a link sent in a text message must show the full, unshortened web address and clearly state which committee (and the candidate, if it’s a candidate‑authorized committee) is making the request. The rule would start as soon as the law is passed and applies to all future text‑message fundraising efforts.

Key Provisions

  • Political committees may not include a hyperlink in a fundraising text unless the message displays the complete, unabbreviated URL.
  • The text must also identify the political committee (and the candidate, if the committee is authorized by a candidate).
  • The requirement takes effect immediately for any contributions solicited after the law is enacted.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

November 19, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 19, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

November 19, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued November 19, 2020

I

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8792

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 19, 2020

Mr. Tipton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

A BILL

To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require political committees soliciting contributions by hyperlinks contained in text messages to include the full name of the hyperlink and the identification of the committee within the message.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Transparency in Campaign Text Message Act.

2.

Requiring full name of hyperlink and identification of political committee in solicitation of contribution by hyperlink contained in text message

(a)

Requirement

Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(k)

Requiring full name of hyperlink and identification of committee in solicitation of contribution by hyperlink contained in text message

(1)

In general

A political committee may not solicit a contribution by a hyperlink contained in a text message unless the message includes—

(A)

the full, unabbreviated name of the hyperlink; and

(B)

the identification of the committee (and, in the case of an authorized committee of a candidate, the identification of the candidate).

(2)

Definition

In this subsection, the term text message has the meaning given such term in section 227(e)(8)(C) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(e)(8)(C)).

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to contributions solicited on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.