Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Committee questions broad expansion of terroristic offenses in HB 2214; DPS recommends narrower approach
Summary
During a committee hearing on HB 2214, committee members and a Texas Department of Public Safety captain debated whether adding many offenses to the state's terrorism statute would be overly broad. The committee left the bill pending and directed further work with DPS; no public testimony was taken.
The Committee on Border Security opened a hearing on House Bill 2214, a proposal to expand the state’s terroristic-offense provisions and to broaden offenses related to firearm and ammunition smuggling. The chair said the bill would be discussed with the Department of Public Safety before the committee considers advancing the measure.
Chairman Birdwell (who sponsored the bill) said he wanted a public, technical discussion with DPS rather than move the bill as filed. “I don't want to include an expansive list of offenses and label them as terrorism,” he told the panel, and said his goal was to refine the bill with law enforcement so it would be enforceable without unintended consequences.
Captain Michael Stanford of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division testified for the department and urged caution. Stanford said some listed offenses have clear links to…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
