Does the texas moderation law really have a hotel california clause – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Adi Robertson
Does the Texas moderation law really have a ‘Hotel California’ clause?

Clement mentioned what he calls a “Hotel California” provision of HB 20, which he interprets as a ban on companies pulling out of Texas if they can’t meet its legal burdens. Brown Jackson questions whether that’s a reasonable interpretation of the law; she seems less convinced it’s the right read.

You can read the rule itself below — check out the third “based on” section, citing geographic location.

“Sec.A143A.002.AACENSORSHIP PROHIBITED. (a) A social media platform may not censor a user, a user ’s expression, or a user ’s ability to receive the expression of another person based on: (1)AAthe viewpoint of the user or another person; (2)AAthe viewpoint represented in the user ’s expression or another person ’s expression; or (3)AAa user ’s geographic location in this state or any part of this state.”
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