Texas SMS Marketing Rules You Need to Know

If your business uses text messages to reach customers in Texas or sends messages from Texas, important new rules are coming that you need to know about. Starting September 1, 2025, Texas law is adding requirements for marketing SMS and MMS messages to protect consumers — and to help you avoid fines or legal trouble.

📌 Why This Matters

Marketing via text is a great way to connect with customers, but with the new Texas law, sending messages to or from Texas means you may need to register your business with the state and follow new guidelines. This protects your business from costly penalties and lawsuits, and helps you maintain trust with your audience.

✨ What’s New

• Text messages are now regulated: SMS and MMS marketing messages fall under Texas telemarketing laws.
• Registration requirement: Businesses sending these messages may need to register with the Texas Secretary of State and post a $10,000 security bond along with a $200 filing fee, renewed annually.
• Increased legal risks: Penalties are tougher, and private lawsuits can happen more easily if rules aren’t followed.

🛠️ How to Use It

1. Review your contacts and location: Identify if you send messages to Texas residents or from a Texas-based location.
2. Segment your contact list carefully: Consider excluding Texas numbers if you do not want to register; however, if you operate from Texas, this won’t fully exempt you.
3. Ensure clear consent: Keep provable opt-in records from your customers before messaging.
4. Follow smart sending rules: Send messages only between 8 AM and 9 PM in the recipient’s local time, verify registrations, and respect do-not-disturb (DND) preferences.
5. Consult a legal professional: Talk to your attorney about whether registration applies to your business and any possible exemptions.

Legal note: This information is educational and not a substitute for professional legal advice.

💡 Pro Tip

Making sure your text marketing follows these rules helps you avoid fines and builds trust, which ultimately keeps your customers engaged and supporting your business.