Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

STATE AFFAIRS/PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PRIVACY ISSUES
Authorizes a person who reasonably believes that another is violating this Act to detain that individual in a reasonable
manner and for a reasonable time to allow for the arrival of law enforcement authorities.
Residential Property Internet Information—S.B. 541
By Senator Seliger—House Sponsor: Representative Jim Keffer
Currently, a local appraisal district may post photographs of individuals' homes and property along with detailed floor
plans on the Internet. This bill:
Provides that information in appraisal records may not be posted on the Internet if the information is a photograph,
sketch, or floor plan of an improvement to real property that is designed primarily for use as a human residence.
Authority of Peace Officers to Conduct Certain Searches─S.B. 1195
By Senator Hinojosa—House Sponsor: Representative Dutton
Consent searches at traffic stops occur when an officer has no probable cause to believe a crime has been
committed, but asks for the driver's consent to search the vehicle. This bill:
Prohibits a search of a motor vehicle stopped for an alleged violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic, unless
the peace officer has probable cause or another legal basis, conducts a search for weapons based on a fear for the
officer's safety or the safety of others, has written or oral consent of the operator of the vehicle, and ensures that the
oral consent is evidenced by an audio and video recording.
Requires the director of the Department of Public Safety (director), by rule, to establish requirements for a form used
to obtain the consent of the operator of a motor vehicle and sets forth minimum requirements for such rules.
Requires the director, by rule, to establish requirements for the audio and video recording used to obtain the consent
of the operator of a motor vehicle and sets forth minimum requirements for such rules.
Continuation of Statutes Governing Interception of Communications─S.B. 1551
By Senator Estes—House Sponsor: Representative Driver
Article 18.20, Code of Criminal Procedure, allows the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to use wire
intercepts as an investigative tool. The article is subject to sunset on September 1, 2005. This bill:
Repeals Section 16.02(h), Penal Code, which provides that Section 16.02 of the Penal Code, prohibiting certain
interception, use, or disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications, expires on September 1, 2005.
Repeals Section 18, Article 18.20 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which provides that Article 18.20, regarding
certain interception, use, and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications, expires on September 1, 2005.
HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 237