Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference on March 5 with Sen. Bryan Hughes to show support for SB 12, the Senator’s social media legislation. SB 12 prohibits social media companies from censoring Texans based on the viewpoints they express.

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

Sen. Bryan Hughes

  • Free speech is a uniquely American right, social media platforms have been silencing those who do not agree with their views
  • SB 12 will help Texans get back online after they have been “mistreated” by social media platforms

Governor Greg Abbott

  • Hughes is stepping up to fight for first amendment rights, so conservative voices are not silenced in the state of Texas
  • The first amendment is under assault by social media companies; last session passed a bill that stated conservative voices will not be silenced on college campuses
  • SB 12 prevents social media companies like Twitter and Facebook from choosing which viewpoints will be presented
  • Bill prohibits social media companies from censoring Texans based upon their viewpoints and allows any Texans who has been censored/deplatformed to file a lawsuit against the social media company and allows them to get back on said site
  • Looks forward to working with Sen. Hughes to get this law passed

Questions and Answers

  • Asks about what is being done about the winter storm?
    • What happened in Texas was unacceptable, already identified root causes and solutions
    • Are not going to end the legislative session without ensuring we do not lost power ever again
  • Texans no longer need the government to tell them to wear a mask, what is the difference now compared to last year?
    • Last March people had no idea what the virus was, and we had zero test kits; now know the appropriate solutions to deal with the virus
    • Averaging 150,000 vaccines per day and have focused on those
    • When the order goes into effect, more than half of the seniors will have their shot
    • By the end of early May, vaccines should be available for all Texans and have had lowest positivity rates since October
  • Are not tech companies licensed by government entities?
    • They do not have to be licensed by the government, but there are laws concerning that; believes Section 230 gives social media platforms special protections
    • Have had lawyers and other experts read that law and we believe we, the state, have authority to protect Texans
  • Mentioned private businesses can still have their own health and safety protocols, how is that different to those social media companies?
    • Difference under federal law, social media got a special protection that other businesses do not have;
    • Hughes – Utilities and other companies cannot cut you off of service due to your beliefs
  • Do you see yourself releasing another EO if cases spike after Spring Break?
    • Spring Breaks are now not all at one time; because of the additional vaccines, regardless of what happens, less people will be inoculated
    • According to the CDC, there are more than 10 million Texans who have recovered
    • EO provides a guardrail to those regions that have high hospitalizations; county judges have the ability to implement COVID-19 restrictions to control the spread
  • What is your response to the President’s use of the word “neanderthal?”
    • Is not the language you would expect a President to use; notes the Biden administration is releasing immigrants who are COVID-19 positive
  • When are vaccinations going to be opened up to 100%?
    • Governor is not in charge of the vaccination program, beginning this week vaccinations were opened up to all school personnel
    • Expects another announcement of another group opened up to eligibility today or next week; will continuously do so
    • Everyone will not likely have a shot until late May
  • Seen legislation like this not pass before, what makes this legislation different?
    • Other legislation aimed to cut through Section 230, this one works through Section 230
    • It allows people to get back online, and no legislation has been offered like that before
    • Hughes – We believe Section 230 is a bad law because it gives social media companies protections, but under this section states have the right to protect free speech