Texas SB739: 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.

What the bill says

An act 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.

From the enrolled text, May 21, 2025:

AN ACT 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. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article 18B.001(1), Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended by Chapters 901 (H.B. 4906) and 950 (S.B. 1727), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, is reenacted and amended to read as follows: (1) "Authorized peace officer" (B) a constable or deputy constable; (C) a marshal or police officer of a municipality; (D) a ranger or officer commissioned by the Public Safety Commission or the director of the department; (E) an investigator of a prosecutor's office; (F) a law enforcement agent of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; (G) a law enforcement officer commissioned by the Parks and Wildlife Commission; (H) an enforcement officer appointed by the inspector general of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice under Section 493.019, Government Code; (I) a law enforcement officer appointed by the inspector general of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department under Section 242.102, Human Resources Code; (J) an investigator commissioned by the attorney general under Section 402.009, Government Code; (K) a member of an arson investigating unit commissioned by a municipality, a county, or the state; [ADDED: (L)][[DELETED: or (K)]] a peace officer …

Sponsors

• Lois Kolkhorst (R, SD-018) · primary sponsor
• Salman Bhojani (D, HD-092)

Latest actions

1. June 20, 2025: Effective on 9/1/25
2. June 20, 2025: Filed without the Governor's signature
3. May 22, 2025: Sent to the Governor
4. May 22, 2025: Signed in the House
5. May 22, 2025: Signed in the Senate
6. May 21, 2025: Reported enrolled
7. May 21, 2025: House passage reported
8. May 21, 2025: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
9. May 21, 2025: Record vote (RV#3155)
10. May 21, 2025: Passed

Votes

• Criminal Justice Committee Vote (Out of committee): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Vote (Out of committee): 6 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3973 (May 21, 2025): 101 yea, 34 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3155 (May 21, 2025): 96 yea, 50 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3785 (May 20, 2025): 113 yea, 24 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3108 (May 20, 2025): 99 yea, 33 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB739?

SB739 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): 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.

What does SB739 do?

In its own words: An act 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.

What is the status of SB739?

Chaptered as of June 20, 2025. Latest action: Effective on 9/1/25 (June 20, 2025).

Who sponsored SB739?

Lois Kolkhorst (R, SD-018), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB739?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB00739