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HB 45

Relating to the duty of the attorney general to represent the state in the prosecution of the criminal offense of trafficking of persons.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Keith Bell and 21 co-sponsors

Texas Attorney General gains direct authority to prosecute human trafficking cases, centralizing state enforcement of this crime under state rather than local control.

Effective on 9/1/25
#attorneygeneral(v2811) #courts--prosecutingattorneys(i0165) #crimes--againstpersons--general(i0170) #crimes--againstpersons--sexual(i0171) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #humantrafficking(s0696) #lawenforcement(i0510)
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Bill Summary · HB 45

Legislative bill overview

HB 45 requires the Texas Attorney General to represent the state in prosecuting human trafficking cases, expanding their prosecution authority beyond typical appellate and supervisory roles. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after Governor approval in June.

Why is this important

Human trafficking is a serious federal and state crime involving exploitation and coercion. This change centralizes trafficking prosecutions under the Attorney General's office, potentially enabling more consistent enforcement, resource coordination, and specialized expertise across the state rather than relying solely on local district attorneys.

Potential points of contention

  • Local prosecutorial authority: May reduce local district attorneys' autonomy in handling trafficking cases within their jurisdictions, potentially creating tension over resource allocation and case control
  • Resource implications: Unclear whether the Attorney General's office received adequate funding to handle additional prosecution responsibilities, potentially straining state resources
  • Practical implementation: Coordination between state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors could become complex, possibly creating delays or jurisdictional conflicts in case handling

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

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