Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4616

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4616 will amend the Texas Penal Code to include provisions that classify transnational repression offenses as one category higher than the most serious crime associated with the offense, which can lead to significant penalties. For example, if the most serious underlying offense is a Class A misdemeanor, it can elevate to a minimum of 180 days confinement. Additionally, the bill establishes a new category of crime for unauthorized enforcement of foreign laws, making it a second-degree felony to act on behalf of a foreign government without proper approval, further tightening state laws against external influences on legal matters within Texas.

Summary

House Bill 4616 aims to create new criminal offenses related to transnational repression and the unauthorized enforcement of foreign law in Texas. This bill defines transnational repression as actions taken by agents of foreign governments or terrorist organizations that infringe upon individuals' rights, particularly those involving speech and expressive conduct protected under the First Amendment. It seeks to establish penalties for those who engage in or conspire to engage in such actions that are intended to inhibit protected conduct or threaten individuals based on their political activities.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding HB 4616 as it navigates between ensuring national security and upholding civil liberties. Concerns may arise regarding the potential for overreach, where the definition of 'transnational repression' could be interpreted broadly, impacting individuals' rights to free speech and political expression. Additionally, the bill incorporates a training program for law enforcement to recognize and address transnational repression, which may face scrutiny regarding its effectiveness and implications for community-police relations.

Companion Bills

TX SB1349

Identical Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

TX HB133

Same As Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

Previously Filed As

TX HB133

Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

TX SB1349

Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

TX HB2374

Transnational repression; foreign adversaries

TX SB454

Enhancing the criminal penalty for committing certain crimes in the context of transnational repression and requiring the development of transnational repression recognition and response training.

TX SB509

Office of Emergency Services: training: transnational repression.

TX HB2413

Enhancing the criminal penalty for an offense committed with the intent to commit transnational repression, requiring the development of transnational repression recognition and response training, providing that theft of livestock or implements of husbandry is a severity level 5, nonperson felony, providing that the theft of grain or hay is a severity level 6, nonperson felony and providing that certain portions of the crime of cruelty to animals do not apply to any person who catches a feral cat to provide vaccination, spaying or neutering and returns such cat back to the location where such cat is caught.

TX LB644

Adopt the Foreign Adversary and Terrorist Agent Registration Act and the Crush Transnational Repression in Nebraska Act, provide requirements under the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act for conduct relating to certain foreign entities, change provisions of the Foreign Adversary Contracting Prohibition Act, and regulate storage and remote access of genetic sequencing data

TX SB00496

An Act Requiring The Hate Crimes Investigative Unit To Respond To And Investigate Instances Of Transnational Repression.

TX SB00570

An Act Requiring The Hate Crimes Investigative Unit To Respond To And Investigate Instances Of Transnational Repression.

TX SR186

Condemning the Chinese Communist Party for its ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) practitioners and denouncing its acts of transnational repression targeting American citizens and residents, including those in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Similar Bills

TX SB1349

Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.

AZ HB2374

Transnational repression; foreign adversaries

TX HB133

Relating to creating the criminal offenses of transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law and to a study and law enforcement training regarding transnational repression.