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HB 1261TEXASSession 89RState BillSigned into law

Enacted

Law Enforcement Agencies Publishing Unclaimed Property Notices Online Instead of Print

Original title: Relating to the disposition of abandoned or unclaimed property seized by a peace officer.

Last action · May 29, 2025: Effective on 9/1/25Sponsors: Charles Cunningham and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Texas law permits law enforcement agencies to publish unclaimed property notices on their internet and social networking websites instead of requiring print newspaper notices, taking effect September 1, 2025.

Why it matters

Residents seeking unclaimed property can now find public notices online rather than in traditional print media starting September 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

law enforcement agencies

Law enforcement agencies gain the option to publish unclaimed property notices on their internet and social networking websites.

Directly affected

owners of unclaimed property

Property owners are subject to new online notification methods regarding their seized or unclaimed personal property.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can law enforcement notify property owners about unclaimed property?

Agencies can mail a notice to the last known address by certified mail or post a one-time notice on the law enforcement agency's internet website and social networking website.

What happens if unclaimed property is worth less than $500 and the owner is unknown?

The designated municipal person, county purchasing agent, or sheriff may sell or donate the property and deposit the proceeds into the treasury after deducting reasonable expenses.

When does this law go into effect?

The Act takes effect on September 1, 2025.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

55 actions

May 29, 2025Governor of TexasEnrolled
Effective on 9/1/25
May 29, 2025Governor of TexasEnrolled
Signed by the Governor
May 20, 2025Governor of TexasEnrolled
Sent to the Governor
May 19, 2025Senate
Signed in the Senate
May 19, 2025House
Signed in the House
May 16, 2025House
Reported enrolled

Show 49 earlier actions

May 16, 2025House
Senate passage reported
May 16, 2025SenateFloor
Record vote
May 16, 2025SenateFloor
Passed
May 16, 2025SenateFloor
Read 3rd time
May 16, 2025SenateFloor
Record vote
May 16, 2025Senate
Three day rule suspended
May 16, 2025Senate
Vote recorded in Journal
May 16, 2025SenateFloor
Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
May 16, 2025Senate
Rules suspended-Regular order of business
May 16, 2025Senate
Co-sponsor authorized
May 15, 2025Senate
Placed on intent calendar
May 14, 2025Senate
Committee report printed and distributed
May 14, 2025Senate
Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
May 14, 2025SenateCommittee
Reported favorably w/o amendments
May 13, 2025Senate
Vote taken in committee
May 13, 2025Senate
Testimony taken in committee
May 13, 2025Senate
Considered in public hearing
May 13, 2025Senate
Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 29, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred to Criminal Justice
Apr 29, 2025SenateIntroduced
Read first time
Apr 28, 2025Senate
Received from the House
Apr 25, 2025House
Reported engrossed
Apr 25, 2025HouseFloor
Nonrecord vote recorded in Journal
Apr 25, 2025House
Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Apr 25, 2025HouseFloor
Record vote (RV#552)
Apr 25, 2025HouseFloor
Passed
Apr 25, 2025HouseFloor
Read 3rd time
Apr 25, 2025HouseFloor
Nonrecord vote recorded in Journal
Apr 25, 2025HouseFloor
Passed to engrossment
Apr 25, 2025HouseFloor
Read 2nd time
Apr 25, 2025House
Placed on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar
Apr 23, 2025House
Considered in Local & Consent Calendars
Apr 17, 2025House
Returned to Local & Consent Calendars Comm.
Apr 17, 2025House
Withdrawn from calendar (contested)
Apr 17, 2025House
Placed on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar
Apr 15, 2025House
Considered in Local & Consent Calendars
Apr 9, 2025House
Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar
Apr 8, 2025House
Committee report distributed
Apr 8, 2025House
Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Mar 26, 2025HouseCommittee
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
Mar 26, 2025House
Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent
Mar 26, 2025House
Considered in public hearing
Mar 19, 2025House
Left pending in committee
Mar 19, 2025House
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Mar 19, 2025House
Considered in public hearing
Mar 19, 2025House
Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Mar 10, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Mar 10, 2025HouseIntroduced
Read first time
Nov 12, 2024HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

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What This Bill Does

Who It Affects

Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

News Coverage

Where This Stands

Procedural history

Version history

Voting Record

Lobbying Activity

Full breakdown

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