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SB 993

Relating to the authority of a peace officer commissioned by the comptroller to apply for an order authorizing the installation and use of a mobile tracking device.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Cody Harris and 1 co-sponsor

Allows Texas Comptroller peace officers to obtain court orders for mobile tracking devices in financial crime investigations, expanding surveillance authority beyond traditional law enforcement.

Placed on General State Calendar
#comptrollerofpublicaccounts(v2608) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #lawenforcement(i0510) #peaceofficers(s0007)
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Bill Summary · SB 993

Legislative bill overview

SB 993 authorizes peace officers commissioned by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to apply for court orders to install and use mobile tracking devices (such as GPS trackers) during investigations. This expands tracking authority beyond traditional law enforcement agencies to include Comptroller's investigators, who typically handle financial crimes, tax fraud, and auditing violations.

Why this is important

Comptroller investigators currently lack explicit statutory authority to request mobile tracking orders, which may limit their investigative tools when pursuing financial crimes or fraud cases. Granting this authority could enhance the agency's capacity to investigate sophisticated schemes, though it also represents an expansion of government surveillance capabilities that warrant scrutiny regarding oversight and appropriate use.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of authority: Whether Comptroller investigators need the same tracking capabilities as traditional law enforcement, and whether their cases (primarily financial/tax-related) justify real-time GPS surveillance
  • Judicial oversight standards: The bill's language regarding what legal standards must be met before courts approve tracking requests and whether safeguards adequately protect privacy rights
  • Mission creep concerns: Whether expanding tracking authority to financial investigators sets precedent for other non-traditional law enforcement agencies to gain similar surveillance powers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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