BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 333

By: González, Mary

Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is a sovereign nation and is one of three Native American tribes in Texas that is recognized under federal law. Current state law authorizes the tribal councils of the other two federally recognized tribes, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, to employ and commission peace officers to enforce state law within the respective tribe's reservations. However, the tribal council of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo currently does not have this authority, which can inhibit the tribe's ability to intervene in situations in which state law is violated within the reservation because the tribe must wait to respond until peace officers from outside the reservation arrive. H.B. 333 seeks to address this inconsistency by extending the authority for a tribal council to employ and commission peace officers to enforce state law to the tribal council of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 333 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to authorize the tribal council of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo to employ and commission peace officers to enforce state law within the tribe's reservation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.