By: Lujan, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Flores) H.B. No. 1866

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 24, 2025; May 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; May 21, 2025, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 21, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the state law enforcement authority of federal National Park Service law enforcement officers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Article 2A.002, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:

(d) A commissioned law enforcement officer of the National Park Service is not a peace officer under the laws of this state but has:

(1) the powers of arrest, search, and seizure as to any offense under the laws of this state committed in a national park or national recreation area; and

(2) within the boundaries of a national park or national recreation area:

(A) the power to execute any arrest warrant or search warrant issued under the laws of this state; and

(B) the powers granted to a peace officer by Chapters 573 and 574, Health and Safety Code.

(d-1) For purposes of Subsection (d) [In this subsection], "national park or national recreation area" means a national park or national recreation area included in the National Park System as defined by 54 U.S.C. Section 100102.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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