The Dallas Community Police Oversight Board meeting on September 9, 2025, focused on significant legislative updates, particularly regarding House Bill 15. This bill, introduced during the second special session of the 89th Texas Legislature, aimed to establish strict guidelines for the maintenance, accessibility, and confidentiality of departmental files related to law enforcement license holders.

Governor Greg Abbott announced the special session on August 15, 2025, giving legislators 30 days to address his agenda, which included House Bill 15. The bill proposed that law enforcement agencies maintain separate department files for each license holder, distinct from personnel files. These department files would include records of alleged misconduct that did not have sufficient evidence for formal charges.

Access to these files would be limited to law enforcement hiring agencies and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement during investigations. The bill classified these files as confidential, restricting public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act, except under specific legal exceptions.

However, on September 2, the House and Senate failed to reach an agreement on the final version of House Bill 15, leading to its referral to a conference committee. Despite attempts to reconcile differences, the committee's report was ultimately rejected by the House, resulting in the bill being considered dead.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions and comments from board members, reflecting ongoing concerns about police oversight and transparency in Dallas.