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HB 1801TEXASSession 89RState Billdead

Did Not Advance

Legislature Clarifies Authorized Peace Officer Tracking and Communication Access Definition

Original title: Relating to the definition of authorized peace officer for purposes of certain laws governing the installation and use of tracking equipment and access to certain communications.

Last action · April 22, 2025: Left pending in committeeSponsor: Salman Bhojani

Companion · SB 739same policy, Senate version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

House Bill 1801 updates the statutory definition of an "" under the Code of Criminal Procedure to incorporate 2023 legislative amendments, clarifying which specific law enforcement and investigative personnel fall under laws governing tracking equipment and communication access. The measure defines the exact roster of state, county, municipal, and agency investigators possessing this statutory authority, taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Why it matters

Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and specialized state investigators must comply with these unified definitions beginning September 1, 2025, to lawfully deploy tracking devices and access communications during criminal investigations.

Who It Would Have Affected

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

Directly affected

Law enforcement officers and investigators

Their statutory categorization as authorized peace officers for tracking equipment and communications access laws is formally reenacted and clarified.

Directly affected

Insurance fraud investigators

Investigators commissioned by the commissioner of insurance are explicitly designated within the authorized peace officer definition.

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

What does House Bill 1801 do?

It s and updates the statutory definition of an "" under the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the installation and use of tracking equipment and access to communications.

Which specific officials are newly consolidated or clarified in the authorized peace officer list?

The list details sheriffs, constables, municipal police, Public Safety Commission rangers, prosecutor investigators, Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents, Parks and Wildlife officers, TDCJ and TJJJ inspector general enforcement officers, attorney general investigators, arson investigators, school/university peace officers, and insurance department investigators.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

7 actions

Apr 22, 2025House
Left pending in committee
Apr 22, 2025House
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Apr 22, 2025House
Considered in public hearing
Apr 22, 2025House
Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Mar 14, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
Mar 14, 2025HouseIntroduced
Read first time

Show 1 earlier action

Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Public Safety Commission, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Texas Department of Criminal Justice and 2 more

OrganizationPublic Safety Commission“Commissions rangers or officers included in the definition of authorized peace o”Map →

OrganizationTexas Juvenile Justice Department“Employs law enforcement officers appointed by the inspector general.”Map →

OrganizationTexas Department of Criminal Justice“Employs enforcement officers appointed by the inspector general.”Map →

OrganizationParks and Wildlife Commission“Commissions law enforcement officers included in the definition.”Map →

OrganizationTexas Alcoholic Beverage Commission“Employs law enforcement agents included in the definition.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

capitol.texas.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 40)
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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