LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6672 NOTE PREPARED: Mar 17, 2025
BILL NUMBER: SB 159 BILL AMENDED: Mar 13, 2025
SUBJECT: Procedures for Obtaining a Warrant.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Freeman BILL STATUS: 2
nd
Reading - 2
nd
House
FIRST SPONSOR: Rep. Bascom
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill specifies that a request for a warrant made orally by telephone, radio,
or similar electronic means must be recorded and typed or transcribed. (Under current law, the judge is
required to record the request, and the court reporter to type or transcribe it.) It permits certain warrant
requests to be: (1) made electronically (where current law only allows this by radio or telephone); and (2)
recorded electronically (where current law only permits the use of audio tape). It also requires the
prosecuting attorney and a law enforcement agency to maintain all requests for warrants, and to provide them
to a defendant in discovery.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures:
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: Any workload increase will depend on local action, but would likely
be minimal. It also requires the prosecuting attorney and law enforcement agency to maintain and provide
to the defendant in discovery, all requests for warrants, including any warrants that may have been denied
by the court, and any recordings of the conversation that was transcribed.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected:
Local Agencies Affected: Prosecuting attorneys; trial courts; law enforcement agencies.
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438.
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