Relating to the prosecution of the offense of smuggling of persons.
This Texas bill (SB 1101) adds new criminal offenses related to smuggling people. It makes it illegal to transport individuals while hiding from police, help others enter the U.S. illegally by concealing them, or guide groups onto protected lands (like parks or cultural sites) without the owner's consent. The law specifically targets smuggling tactics involving evasion of law enforcement or unauthorized use of protected areas. It applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2025
Last action May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
3 edits
·
Apr 10, 2025
MINOR
This bill amends Texas Penal Code sections related to smuggling of persons and definitions of protected areas. The changes include reformatting the bill text and updating the definition of protected locations to clarify that cultural resource sites, natural areas, open space areas, parks, and agricultural lands are protected without owner consent. The substantive policy content regarding smuggling offenses remains largely unchanged, with only formatting and minor text adjustments.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on prosecuting smuggling of persons offenses, with no changes to applicability or jurisdiction
DEFINITION
Updated definition of protected areas to explicitly list cultural resource sites, natural areas, open space areas, parks, and agricultural lands as locations where unauthorized entry is prohibited
TECHNICAL
Reformatted bill text from introduced version to engrossed version with updated header information and section numbering
Adjusted text formatting and spacing throughout the bill document without changing substantive legal provisions
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
35
Key actions
10
Committee
11
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Cole Hefner
RRepublican
Co
CB
César Blanco
DDemocratic
Co
Royce West
DDemocratic
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