HB4138Introduced in the House
SEARCH WARR-ELECTRONIC-RETURN
Introduced by Patrick Windhorst, District 117
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that telecommunications carriers shall return all electronic instruments, articles, or things within 7 business days. Provides that if the judge issuing the warrant finds exigent circumstances exist, the return of the electronic instruments, articles, or things shall be as soon as possible. Provides that the judge issuing the warrant shall make a finding of applicability of the provision and shall enter a reference to the provision upon the warrant. Provides that the amendatory Act does not affect the ability of a law enforcement agency to obtain information under the Freedom From Location Surveillance Act. Defines "exigent circumstances".
Where it stands
Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. John F. Curran
June 1, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
HouseStage: House Third Reading · April 17, 2026
104
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
104 representatives recorded in this House vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each representative voted
| Representative | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Ortiz | 1 | Yes |
| Elizabeth Hernandez | 2 | Yes |
| Eva Dina Delgado | 3 | Yes |
| Lilian Jimenez | 4 | Yes |
| Kimberly Du Buclet | 5 | Yes |
| Sonya Harper | 6 | Yes |
| Emanuel Welch | 7 | Yes |
| Yolanda Morris | 9 | Yes |
| Jawaharial Williams | 10 | Yes |
| Ann Williams | 11 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Patrick Windhorst
First Reading
Referred to Rules Committee
Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 014-000-000
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Sheehan
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Patrick Windhorst
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
Second Reading - Short Debate
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Patrick Windhorst
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 015-000-000
State Mandates Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Sonya M. Harper
State Mandates Fiscal Note Requested - Withdrawn by Rep. Sonya M. Harper
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 104-000-000
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Tabled
Arrive in Senate
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading
Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Dale Fowler
First Reading
Referred to Assignments
Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner
Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. John F. Curran
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