DoomsdaysCW<p>State by State Pending and recently passed <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/AntiProtestLaws" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>AntiProtestLaws</span></a>: <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Texas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Texas</span></a> </p><p>HB 3557: New criminal and civil penalties for protests around <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriticalInfrastructure" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CriticalInfrastructure</span></a></p><p>Creates new criminal sanctions and expansive civil liability for protests near pipelines and other infrastructure facilities, including those under construction. The law provides for four new criminal offenses. One, "impairing or interrupting operation of critical infrastructure facility," is defined as entering or remaining on facility property and intentionally or knowingly "impair[ing] or interrupt[ing] the operation of" the facility. The act is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. This provision could target peaceful protests that, e.g., hinder access to <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/pipelines" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>pipelines</span></a> or <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/pipeline" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>pipeline</span></a> construction sites. A second offense, "intent to impair or interrupt critical infrastructure," is defined as entering or remaining on facility property "with the intent to impair or interrupt the operation of the facility." The act is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. This provision could capture peaceful protests that take place near a pipeline or other infrastructure facility, regardless of whether they actually impair or interrupt the facility's operations. The law also creates two new felony offenses for "damage" and "intent to damage" critical infrastructure. Under the law, an association that is found guilty of any of the offenses around critical infrastructure is subject to a $500,000 fine. The law also creates new civil and vicarious liability for individuals and organizations related to the criminal offenses: A defendant who engages in conduct covered by any of the criminal offenses is civilly liable to the property owner, as is an organization that "knowingly compensates" a person for engaging in the conduct. The property owner may sue for and claim actual damages, court costs, and exemplary damages.<br> <br>Full text of bill:<br><a href="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB3557" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/H</span><span class="invisible">istory.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB3557</span></a></p><p>Status: enacted</p><p>Introduced 6 Mar 2019; Approved by House 7 May 2019; Approved by Senate 20 May 2019; Signed by Governor Abbott 14 June 2019</p><p>Issue(s): Civil Liability, <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ProtestSupporters" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ProtestSupporters</span></a> or Funders, Infrastructure</p><p>SB 2876: Heightened penalties for protesters who conceal their identity</p><p>Would increase criminal penalties that could cover peaceful protesters who choose to wear a mask. Under the bill, a protesters charged with “riot” would face more serious penalties if they were wearing a mask or other face covering with intent to conceal their identity, as compared to someone without a mask. The offense would be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and $4,000, instead of a Class B misdemeanor. The crime of “riot” under Texas law is defined broadly and does not require violence or other unlawful conduct: The offense covers a group of seven demonstrators whose conduct “substantially obstructs law enforcement or other governmental function or services,” or whose “physical action deprives any person of a legal right or disturbs any person in the enjoyment of a legal right.” Under the bill, a protester who chose to wear a mask to avoid <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/retaliation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>retaliation</span></a> for their political views could face significant jail time if their <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/NonviolentProtest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NonviolentProtest</span></a> was deemed a “<a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/riot" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>riot</span></a>.”<br> <br>Full text of bill:<br><a href="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2876" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/H</span><span class="invisible">istory.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2876</span></a></p><p>Status: pending</p><p>Introduced 14 Mar 2025.</p><p>Issue(s): Face Covering, Riot</p><p>HB 3061: Heightened penalties for masked protesters</p><p>Would increase the penalty for protest-related offenses if committed by someone wearing a mask or other disguise to conceal their identity while “congregating with other individuals who were disguised or masked.” Under the bill, the penalty for trespass, “disorderly conduct,” and “riot” would be one degree more severe if committed by a group in which some individuals wore masks. The bill provides an exemption to the penalty enhancement for masks worn during Halloween, a masquerade ball, or “similar celebration,” but not for avoiding retaliation for political speech. “Disorderly conduct” and “riot” are broadly defined under Texas law. Protesters who make “unreasonable noise” in public, for instance, may be charged with “disorderly conduct”; under the bill, such protesters could face significant jail time rather than a fine if they were masked. “Trespass” in Texas also carries significant penalties if committed on <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CollegeCampuses" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CollegeCampuses</span></a>, "critical infrastructure," or other select locations, such that peaceful protesters who trespassed on a college campus could face felony rather than misdemeanor penalties if they were masked to avoid retaliation.<br> <br>Full text of bill:<br><a href="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3061" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/H</span><span class="invisible">istory.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3061</span></a></p><p>Status: pending</p><p>Introduced 19 Feb 2025.</p><p>Issue(s): Campus Protests, Face Covering, Infrastructure, Riot, Trespass</p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FirstAmendment" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>FirstAmendment</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriminalizingDissent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CriminalizingDissent</span></a><br><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Authoritarianism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Authoritarianism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Fascism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Fascism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Clampdown" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Clampdown</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriminalizingProtest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CriminalizingProtest</span></a><br><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CharacteristicsOfFascism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CharacteristicsOfFascism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/USPol" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>USPol</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/AntiProtestLaws" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>AntiProtestLaws</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/PipelineProtests" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PipelineProtests</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SLAPPs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>SLAPPs</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/MaskedProtesters" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MaskedProtesters</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/AntiMaskLaws" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>AntiMaskLaws</span></a></p>