Bill > SB846

This bill establishes a new legal framework that expands the Texas Attorney General's authority to prosecute certain criminal offenses, specifically those related to elections, specific health and safety issues, and certain penal code violations. Under the new law, if a law enforcement agency submits a report of probable cause for such an offense to a local prosecutor and the Attorney General, and the local prosecutor does not initiate prosecution within six months, the Attorney General is then required (rather than merely permitted) to prosecute the case. The bill also mandates that law enforcement agencies simultaneously submit reports to both the local prosecutor and the Attorney General, and requires local agencies to provide additional information about investigations upon the Attorney General's request. Modifications to the Election Code change the language from "may prosecute" to "shall prosecute," signaling a more proactive role for the Attorney General in pursuing these specific types of criminal cases. The changes will apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, when the law takes effect, ensuring that existing cases are not retroactively impacted.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB846