HB 15 Texas House · 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)

Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.

HB 15 would require Texas law enforcement agencies to maintain confidential "department files" for each employee who holds a law enforcement license. These files must include documents about alleged misconduct (even if unproven) and other relevant letters or memos not in standard personnel files. Agencies could share these files with other agencies when hiring license holders but must keep them confidential otherwise, except for specific legal requests like investigations. The bill aims to standardize how agencies handle sensitive information about licensed employees while protecting privacy.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Sep 2025

House Passage

Aug 2025

Senate Passage

Sep 2025

Governor

Introduced Aug 18, 2025 Last action Sep 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Sep 2, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was significantly rewritten from its original version, changing the focus from maintaining files for license holders to a more streamlined system for managing department files. The new version adds transparency requirements by allowing complainants and those accused of misconduct to view investigation documents, while maintaining confidentiality for the general public. The bill also clarifies disclosure rules and adds specific restrictions on duplicating sensitive documents.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a general file maintenance system to one with specific transparency provisions for misconduct investigations while maintaining overall confidentiality.

REQUIREMENT

Added new subsections (f-1) and (f-2) allowing complainants and accused individuals to view misconduct investigation documents, but prohibiting duplication or recording of these documents.

Removed the meet-and-confer agreement requirement that previously allowed disclosure of department file information.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed disclosure rules from a meet-and-confer agreement requirement to broader statutory disclosure provisions under existing criminal procedure and government code sections.

DEFINITION

Simplified the definition of 'department file' to focus on files maintained for agency use rather than the previous broader definition.

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date language to specify implementation on the 91st day after the legislative session ends.

Floor votes · Senate Sep 2, 2025 · House Aug 28, 2025

How they voted

23–7

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 33

Sep 2, 2025

D Democratic12

4 Yea 6 Nay 2

50% Nay

R Republican21

19 Yea 1 Nay 1

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Sep 2, 2025

Introduced

Senate Amendments Analysis distributed

lower

Sep 2, 2025

Introduced

Senate Amendments distributed

lower

Sep 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate passage as amended reported

lower

Sep 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Sep 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Sep 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Sep 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Sep 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

upper

Sep 2, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

Sep 2, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

Aug 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Aug 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

lower

Aug 28, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

lower

Aug 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Aug 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

Aug 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Aug 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Aug 18, 2025

Committee

Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

lower

Aug 18, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

4 primary · 2 co-sponsors