TITLE: Relating to creating the criminal offense of unlawful federal searches and seizures.

SUMMARY: Relating to creating the criminal offense of unlawful federal searches and seizures.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to creating the criminal offense of unlawful federal searches and seizures. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 39, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 39.08 to read as follows: Sec. 39.08. UNLAWFUL FEDERAL SEARCHES AND SEIZURES. (a) In this section, "no-knock entry" means the entry of a government or federal government officer, agent, or employee, for the purpose of executing a warrant, into a building or other place without giving notice of the officer's, agent's, or employee's authority or purpose before entering. (b) A person commits an offense if the person is an officer, agent, or employee of: (1) the federal government and in the course and scope of duty conducts: (A) a no-knock entry on the property of a citizen of this state; (B) an arrest or search at the residence of a citizen of this state between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.; or (C) an arrest or search of a citizen of this state without first obtaining the consent of the sheriff of the county in which the citizen is located; or (2) this state or a political subdivision of this state or any branch or agency of this state or a political subdivision of this state and in the course and scope of duty assists an officer, agent, or employee of the federal government in conducting a no-knock entry, arrest, or search described by Subdivision (1)(A) or (B). (c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another law, the defendant may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.