Fact Check: Texas Law Could Impose Fines Up to $10,000 Per Day for Non-Compliance
What We Know
The claim that "Texas law could impose fines up to $10,000 per day for non-compliance" is rooted in recent legislative developments. Specifically, House Bill 2891, introduced in the Texas legislature, proposes to increase administrative, civil, and criminal penalties for violations of certain statutes under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas. According to the bill, the maximum administrative penalty for violations not related to pipeline safety is set to increase from $10,000 to $25,000 per day starting September 1, 2025 (Local Government Impact, 89(R) HB 2891 - Introduced version - Bill Text).
Additionally, the Texas Attorney General's office has indicated that companies violating age verification requirements for online pornography could face fines of up to $10,000 per day for non-compliance with these specific regulations (Attorney General Ken Paxton Successfully Defends Texas Law).
Analysis
The claim is partially true because it accurately reflects the potential for fines of up to $10,000 per day in specific contexts, such as violations of age verification laws. However, it is misleading if interpreted as a blanket statement applicable to all Texas laws, as the maximum fines vary based on the type of violation.
For instance, while the proposed changes in HB 2891 would indeed raise the fines for certain violations to $25,000 per day, the existing law does allow for fines of $10,000 per day for specific infractions, particularly those related to age verification (Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton). The reliability of the sources is high, as they include official legislative documents and statements from the Texas Attorney General's office, both of which are credible and authoritative.
However, the interpretation of the claim must consider the context of the fines. The $10,000 figure is not universally applicable across all laws but is specific to certain regulatory frameworks. This nuance is critical in assessing the overall accuracy of the claim.
Conclusion
The verdict is Partially True. While it is accurate that Texas law allows for fines of up to $10,000 per day for specific violations, such as age verification non-compliance, it is misleading to suggest that this figure applies broadly to all potential violations under Texas law. The context of the fines is essential, as new legislation could increase penalties significantly for other types of violations.
