Texas SB12: Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.

What the bill says

An act relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.

From the amended text, August 26, 2025:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 402, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter E to read as follows: [ADDED: SUBCHAPTER E. PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES PRESCRIBED BY STATE ] [ADDED: ELECTION LAWS] [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 402.151.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies to a ] [ADDED: criminal offense under the Election Code.] [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 402.152.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO ATTORNEY GENERAL. ] [ADDED: (a) A law enforcement agency shall submit to the attorney general ] [ADDED: any report stating there is probable cause to believe an identified ] [ADDED: person has committed a criminal offense described by Section ] [ADDED: 402.151.] [ADDED: (b)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: A local prosecuting attorney or law enforcement agency ] [ADDED: shall provide any information requested by the attorney general ] [ADDED: regarding investigations of criminal offenses described by Section ] [ADDED: 402.151 to assist the attorney general in performing duties ] [ADDED: required under this subchapter.] [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 402.153.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: PROSECUTION. Notwithstanding any other law, ] [ADDED: the attorney general has jurisdiction to prosecute and shall ] [ADDED: represent the state in the prosecution …

Sponsors

• Bryan Hughes (R, SD-001) · primary sponsor
• Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007)
• Donna Campbell (R, SD-025)
• Charles Creighton (R, SD-004)
• Brent Hagenbuch (R, SD-030)
• Bob Hall (R, SD-002)
• Adam Hinojosa (R, SD-027)
• Joan Huffman (R, SD-017)
• Ken King (R, HD-088)
• Mayes Middleton (R)
• Tan Parker (R)
• Angela Paxton (R, SD-008)

Latest actions

1. September 19, 2025: Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (December 4, 2025)
2. September 19, 2025: Signed by the Governor
3. August 28, 2025: Sent to the Governor
4. August 28, 2025: Signed in the House
5. August 27, 2025: Signed in the Senate
6. August 26, 2025: Reported enrolled
7. August 26, 2025: House passage reported
8. August 26, 2025: Reason for vote recorded in Journal
9. August 26, 2025: Record vote (RV#87)
10. August 26, 2025: Passed

Votes

• State Affairs Committee Vote (Out of committee): 8 yea, 5 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#87 (August 26, 2025): 53 yea, 10 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#79 (August 26, 2025): 18 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#78 (August 26, 2025): 11 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Read 3rd time (August 19, 2025): 18 yea, 12 nay, passed
• Rules suspended-Regular order of business (August 18, 2025): 18 yea, 12 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB12?

SB12 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 2nd Special Session): Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.

What does SB12 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.

What is the status of SB12?

Signed into law as of September 19, 2025. Latest action: Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (December 4, 2025) (September 19, 2025).

Who sponsored SB12?

Bryan Hughes (R, SD-001), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB12?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=SB00012