House bill would fine museums up to $500,000 a day for displaying ‘obscene material’

House Bill 3958, filed by Rep. David Lowe (R-North Richland Hills), proposes to amend Chapter 402 of Texas Government Code to fine museums that display material in violation of certain sections of Texas Penal Code up to $500,000 per item per day the material is displayed after being found in violation. Under the bill, the Office of the Attorney General would be able to bring action to obtain injunctive relief to remove the material indefinitely.

If passed, the bill would go into effect on September 1, 2025.

The parts of the penal code cited in the bill are sections of Chapter 43, which governs issues related to public indecency. The bill seeks to prevent display of material described as obscene or harmful.