Governor Abbott vetoes HB 3490 (86R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 3490 as passed by the Eighty-Sixth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
Cyberbullying is unacceptable and must be stopped. In 2017, I signed Senate Bill 179 into law because cyberbullying is a very real problem. House Bill 3490 shares the same good intentions.
Unfortunately, the language used in the bill is overbroad and would sweep in conduct that legislators did not intend to criminalize, such as repeated criticisms of elected officials on Internet websites. I look forward to working next session to forcefully counter cyberbullying in ways that can be upheld constitutionally.
Since the Eighty-Sixth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 15th day of June, 2019.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor