Relating to requiring a warrant to search certain location information purchased by a governmental entity from a data broker or electronic personal data tracker.
SB 1659 requires government entities to obtain a warrant before searching location information they purchase from data brokers or electronic personal data trackers (like apps/websites that collect location data). This bill directly affects law enforcement and government agencies that buy such location data for investigations. It amends Texas law to explicitly include purchased location data under the list of items requiring a warrant, specifically adding it to Article 18.02(a)(15) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The key mechanism is changing the legal standard for accessing this type of data, moving from no warrant requirement to judicial approval. This policy change applies to all location data acquired by government entities from third-party sources, not data collected directly by the government.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 26, 2025
Last action May 6, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
3
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bryan Hughes
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 1659
Scope: TX
Hi! I can help you understand SB 1659. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline