🟡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.

🟡 SB 1349: New crimes against foreign-directed intimidation, training and a study

What it says it does:
Cracks down on people in Texas who threaten, stalk, assault, traffic, or otherwise harm someone on behalf of a foreign government or foreign terrorist organization. Bans trying to make people in Texas obey a foreign country’s laws without approval. Requires DPS to create officer training and complete a statewide study.

What it actually changes:
Creates a new offense of transnational repression that elevates penalties when the act is tied to a foreign government or foreign terrorist group and targets protected speech or activity. Creates a separate offense for unauthorized enforcement of foreign law in Texas. Orders DPS to design and update training, and to work with the Governor’s Office on a report to the Legislature. Effective date in files: September 1, 2025.

Who is pushing for it:
Witness lists in the files show support registrations from Texas Public Policy Foundation and State Armor Action, and DPS appeared on the bill. Several individuals registered against. Author name and party details in files are limited, so broader sponsor specifics are Not in files.

Who benefits:
Targets of foreign-directed intimidation gain clearer protection and stronger penalties for offenders. Prosecutors and DPS get defined tools and a mandate to train officers statewide.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Diaspora communities, student groups, journalists, and faith organizations could face added scrutiny depending on how “agent” status is taught and applied. The public has no guaranteed access in the bill text to DPS curriculum or study methods, which limits outside review.

Why this matters long term:
This bill sets the template for how Texas labels and prosecutes foreign-directed coercion. Training content and the study’s frame will shape investigations and charging decisions far beyond the text. Without transparency, powerful definitions can travel quietly into everyday policing.

What to watch next:
How DPS defines “agent” for training, whether civil liberties modules are built in, and whether the curriculum is published. Whether the study discloses methods and data. Whether the state reports how often these new offenses are charged and with what outcomes.

Bottom line:
SB 1349 aims at a real threat and gives Texas sharper tools. The risk lives in the black box. With sunlight on training and data on use, Texans can have both safety and rights. Without that, discretion expands out of public view.

Questions to ask lawmakers:

1. What factors will DPS use to teach officers how to identify a true “agent” of a foreign government, and how will you check for profiling or chilled speech?
2. What data will you review each year to see whether these charges are used fairly across communities, and what would trigger a course correction?
3. Will the training outlines and study methods be published so Texans can see how these decisions are being made?

#SB1349 #TexasPolicy #WatchTheRules #TexasPublicSafety #CivilLiberties #ForeignInterference