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HB 3417

AN ACT relating to the confidentiality of administrative subpoenas for

House Bill
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Fiscal Note

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What This Bill Does

Allows prosecutors and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force officers to issue administrative subpoenas with confidentiality provisions for investigations involving online sexual exploitation. Under the new law, these subpoenas can prohibit electronic communication services from disclosing the existence of the subpoena, the details of records requested, or whether they have provided any records. The provision aims to protect sensitive investigations by preventing potential suspects from being tipped off about ongoing law enforcement inquiries.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to the confidentiality of administrative subpoenas for
offenses that involve the Internet-based sexual exploitation of a
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 422.003, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-1) and amending Subsection (c) to read as
(b-1)  If the prosecuting attorney or officer of an ICAC task
force issuing a subpoena under Subsection (b) determines that any
of the following disclosures could significantly impede or
jeopardize the investigation, the subpoena may provide that the
electronic communication service or remote computing service to
which the subpoena is directed may not:
(1)  disclose that the subpoena has been issued;
(2)  identify or describe any records or other
documentation requested in the subpoena; or
(3)  disclose whether records or other documentation
has been provided in response to the subpoena.
(c)  A subpoena under Subsection (b) must:
(1)  describe any objects or items to be produced;
(2)  prescribe a reasonable return date by which those
objects or items must be assembled and made available; and
(3)  if applicable, state the determination of the
prosecuting attorney or officer of an ICAC task force described by
SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a subpoena issued on or after the effective date of this Act.  A
subpoena issued before the effective date of this Act is governed by
the law in effect on the date the subpoena was issued, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the confidentiality of administrative subpoenas for