TX HB5491

Creates civil liability for persons who commit unlawful vote harvesting, allowing harmed candidates to sue for damages

Defines a harmed candidate as one who was running for office when another candidate received votes attributable to illegal vote harvesting services, regardless of whether the benefiting candidate knowingly participated

Establishes damages for prevailing plaintiffs including: compensation paid for vote harvesting services, fair market value of benefits exchanged, $250 penalty per affected vote, and reasonable attorney's fees and court costs

Allows punitive damages if the number of voters contacted through vote harvesting exceeds the margin of loss, including ballot filing fees and the salary the candidate would have earned if elected

Establishes joint liability among defendants, exempts these cases from expedited actions process and the Texas Citizens Participation Act (anti-SLAPP law), and takes effect September 1, 2025