Texas 89th Legislature, Regular Session Status: Introduced

HB 2178 — Relating to the emergency installation and use of a mobile tracking device on a vehicle by an authorized peace officer.

Last action — Left pending in committee

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 89th Legislature, Regular Session. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Relating to the emergency installation and use of a mobile tracking device on a vehicle by an authorized peace officer.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read HB 2178 on the official Texas source →

How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the Texas statutes.

  • Art. 18B.2055. EMERGENCY INSTALLATION AND USE OF MOBILE TRACKING DEVICE ON VEHICLE. (a) An authorized peace officer may install and use a mobile tracking device on a vehicle without obtaining an order under this subchapter if: (1) the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the vehicle to which, in which, or on which the mobile tracking device is to be attached, placed, or otherwise installed is being used in the commission of an offense: (A) listed in Article 42A.054; or (B) under Section 38.04 or 38.06, Penal Code, that is punishable as a felony; and (2) the installation and use of the mobile tracking device without first obtaining an order under this subchapter is necessary to prevent: (A) the impairment of a criminal investigation; (B) the damage or destruction of property; (C) the death of or bodily injury to a person; or (D) the escape of a person who is a fugitive from justice for a felony. (b) Not later than 72 hours after the time the mobile tracking device is attached, placed, or otherwise installed on the vehicle, the authorized peace officer shall obtain an order under this subchapter from a district judge with jurisdiction over the site of the vehicle the movement of which is being tracked by the device. An application for an order required by this subsection must provide one or more reasons as prescribed by Subsection (a)(2) for the necessity of installing and using a mobile tracking device without first obtaining an order under this subchapter. (c) The authorized peace officer may designate another authorized peace officer to obtain the order under Subsection (b) on behalf of the authorized peace officer who attached, placed, or otherwise installed the mobile tracking device. (d) The judge may issue an order authorizing the installation and use of the mobile tracking device during the 72-hour period prescribed by Subsection (b) if the judge finds that: (1) the vehicle is being used for the commission of an offense described by Subsection (a)(1); and (2) the installation and use of the mobile tracking device without first obtaining an order under this subchapter was necessary for a reason prescribed by Subsection (a)(2). (e) If the application for the order is denied or the order is not issued within the 72-hour period prescribed by Subsection (b): (1) the authorized peace officer shall terminate the use of the mobile tracking device on the earlier of the denial of the application or the expiration of the 72-hour period; and (2) the state may not use as evidence in a criminal proceeding any information obtained through the use of the mobile tracking device.

    amended

Action History

  1. Left pending in committee

  2. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

  3. Considered in public hearing

  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .

  5. Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence

  6. Read first time

  7. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 183 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (183)

183 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 2178 do?
Relating to the emergency installation and use of a mobile tracking device on a vehicle by an authorized peace officer.
Who sponsors HB 2178?
HB 2178 is sponsored by Sam Harless.
What is the current status of HB 2178?
This bill died with 89th Legislature, Regular Session. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 2178?
Track HB 2178 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 4 months ago · updated continuously

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