Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4616

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4616 will amend the Texas Penal Code to include provisions that classify transnational repression offenses as one category higher than the most serious crime associated with the offense, which can lead to significant penalties. For example, if the most serious underlying offense is a Class A misdemeanor, it can elevate to a minimum of 180 days confinement. Additionally, the bill establishes a new category of crime for unauthorized enforcement of foreign laws, making it a second-degree felony to act on behalf of a foreign government without proper approval, further tightening state laws against external influences on legal matters within Texas.

Summary

House Bill 4616 aims to create new criminal offenses related to transnational repression and the unauthorized enforcement of foreign law in Texas. This bill defines transnational repression as actions taken by agents of foreign governments or terrorist organizations that infringe upon individuals' rights, particularly those involving speech and expressive conduct protected under the First Amendment. It seeks to establish penalties for those who engage in or conspire to engage in such actions that are intended to inhibit protected conduct or threaten individuals based on their political activities.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding HB 4616 as it navigates between ensuring national security and upholding civil liberties. Concerns may arise regarding the potential for overreach, where the definition of 'transnational repression' could be interpreted broadly, impacting individuals' rights to free speech and political expression. Additionally, the bill incorporates a training program for law enforcement to recognize and address transnational repression, which may face scrutiny regarding its effectiveness and implications for community-police relations.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Penal Code

  • Chapter 76. Terroristic Offenses
    • Section: New Section

Government Code

  • Chapter 411. Department Of Public Safety Of The State Of Texas
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

TX SB1349

Identical Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

TX HB133

Same As Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

Previously Filed As

TX HB7

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Border Force, and to compensate persons affected by those threats; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.

TX HB61

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Border Force, and to compensate persons affected by those threats; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.

TX HB4642

Relating to offenses involving the manufacture or delivery of certain controlled substances and the enforcement and prevention of those offenses; creating a criminal offense.

TX SB1900

Relating to foreign terrorist organizations, including the compilation of information regarding, certain civil actions brought against, and the prosecution of certain organized crime offenses involving a foreign terrorist organization and of sedition.

TX HB3499

Relating to foreign terrorist organizations, including the acquisition of title to real property by, the compilation of information regarding, certain civil actions brought against, and the prosecution of certain organized crime offenses involving a foreign terrorist organization.

TX SB1518

Relating to the establishment of a terrorist offender registry and to the supervision of those terrorist offenders; creating criminal offenses related to terrorism.

TX HB4968

Relating to the establishment of a terrorist offender registry and to the supervision of those terrorist offenders; creating criminal offenses related to terrorism.

TX HB127

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Homeland Security Division, and to compensate persons affected by those threats.

TX HB4

Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of improper entry from a foreign nation and indemnification of certain claims relating to the enforcement of that offense.

TX HB13

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing the Texas Homeland Security Division and the Border Security Advisory Council, and to compensate persons affected by those threats.

Similar Bills

AZ HB2374

Transnational repression; foreign adversaries

TX HB133

Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

TX SB1349

Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

FL H0001

Combatting Illegal Immigration, Terrorist Organizations, and Transnational Organized Crime and Their Illegal Immigrant Participants

US SB1048

Ending the NARCOS Act of 2023 Ending the Notorious, Aggressive, and Remorseless Criminal Organizations and Syndicates Act of 2023

OH SR242

Urge Congress designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations

US HB1079

CARTEL Act of 2025 Cartel And Radical Terrorist Enforcement Log Act of 2025

US HB7566

CARTEL Act of 2024 Cartel And Radical Terrorist Enforcement Log Act of 2024