Monitoring the Session

HB 1893

Cook Bill Lets Police Release Video Without Blacking Out Plates

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. David CookRHouse 96

Initial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the disclosure under the public information law of a motor vehicle license plate number captured in a video recording obtained or maintained by a law enforcement agency.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

Plates in dashcam and body camera video are no longer confidential. Other exceptions still apply.

The bill says license plate numbers that show up in police video are no longer confidential under the Texas public records law or the state motor vehicle records privacy law. It touches law enforcement agencies that hold dashcam, body camera and building surveillance video, and anyone who files a public records request for that video. Police can release such video without blacking out the plates, starting September 1, 2025, though they can still withhold video under other public records exceptions.

Labels

Labels: DO-OVER. Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 5005 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 4 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB1893 · 2025-01-16

SOLD BY

Rep. David CookRHouse 96 Rep. Candy NobleRHouse 89 Rep. Tony TinderholtRHouse 94

+ 2 more authors, 3 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the disclosure under the public information law of a motor vehicle license plate number captured in a video recording obtained or maintained by a law enforcement agency.

WHAT IT DOES

Plates in dashcam and body camera video are no longer confidential. Other exceptions still apply.

The bill says license plate numbers that show up in police video are no longer confidential under the Texas public records law or the state motor vehicle records privacy law. It touches law enforcement agencies that hold dashcam, body camera and building surveillance video, and anyone who files a public records request for that video. Police can release such video without blacking out the plates, starting September 1, 2025, though they can still withhold video under other public records exceptions.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 2, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Delivery of Government Efficiency
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in formal meeting
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#633
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#734
  22. Reported engrossed
  23. Received from the House
  24. Read first time
  25. Referred to Economic Development
  26. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  27. Considered in public hearing
  28. Testimony taken in committee
  29. Left pending in committee
  30. Co-sponsor authorized
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Vote taken in committee
  33. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  34. Committee report printed and distributed
  35. Placed on intent calendar
  36. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  37. Record vote
  38. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  39. Record vote
  40. Three day rule suspended
  41. Record vote
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote
  45. Senate passage reported
  46. Reported enrolled
  47. Signed in the House
  48. Signed in the Senate
  49. Sent to the Governor
  50. Signed by the Governor
  51. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

SURVEILLANCE STATE

THE TEXT

“The law enforcement agency is not required to redact any license plate numbers before releasing the video.”

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill lets police release recordings that show identifiable license plates to any public records requester without redaction, which loosens a privacy shield on vehicle data in police video.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 146 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 26 yea · 5 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 29, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 20, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

David Cook

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$350KGOPAC Election Fund$115KTexas REALTORS Political Action Committee$60K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$350,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$350,000.00

Cash
$350,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$350,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012315, 101037124, 101037559, 101066332, 101070691.

GOPAC Election Fund$115,000.00

GOPAC Election Fund

$115,000.00

Cash
$115,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$115,000.00

Also funds 2 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 17, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Sep 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101066332.

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$60,000.00

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$60,000.00

Cash
$60,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$60,000.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 12, 2025 to Jul 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101037124, 101037559, 101066332.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$350,000.00

Cash
$350,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$350,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012315, 101037124, 101037559, 101066332, 101070691.

×

GOPAC Election Fund

$115,000.00

Cash
$115,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$115,000.00

Also funds 2 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 17, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Sep 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101066332.

×

Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee

$60,000.00

Cash
$60,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$60,000.00

Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 12, 2025 to Jul 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101037124, 101037559, 101066332.

Votes6

Senate May 20, 2025

Yea
26
Nay
5
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 26 (published)
  • Nay: 5 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 20, 2025

Yea
26
Nay
5
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator King moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 1893 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 26 (published)
  • Nay: 5 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 20, 2025

Yea
26
Nay
5
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 26 (published)
  • Nay: 5 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 20, 2025

Yea
26
Nay
5
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator King moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 1893 at this time on its second reading: HB 1893, Relating to the disclosure under the public information law of a motor vehicle license plate number captured in a video recording obtained or maintained by a law enforcement agency. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 26 (published)
  • Nay: 5 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea
146
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 734

HB 1893 was passed by (Record 734): 146 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 146 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 28, 2025

Yea
144
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
3
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 633

HB 1893 was passed to engrossment by (Record 633): 144 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 144 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses25
For
24
Against
1
On
0
Names

For

  • City of Arlington2 registrations
  • City of Dallas1 registration
  • City of Fort Worth1 registration
  • City of Georgetown1 registration
  • City of Irving1 registration
  • City of San Antonio2 registrations
  • City of Sugar Land1 registration
  • Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)2 registrations
  • Dallas Police Association1 registration
  • Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas1 registration
  • Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP #391 registration
  • Self2 registrations
  • Self; Texas Press Association1 registration
  • Texas Association of Broadcasters2 registrations
  • Texas Municipal League2 registrations
  • Texas Municipal Police Association1 registration
  • Texas Press Association2 registrations

Against

  • Self1 registration
Sources

25 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 2, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R HB 5005

by Rep. Cook, same lead author · Died in committee · reworked

Introduced text

Last action, May 12, 2023: Referred to Transportation

Relating to the disclosure under the public information law of a motor vehicle license plate number captured in a video recording maintained by a law enforcement agency.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas House · Filed Jan 16, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148 Mihaela PlesaDHouse 70 Joanne ShofnerRHouse 11
Sponsors
Phil KingRSenate 10
Cosponsors
Royce WestDSenate 23

House committee · Delivery of Government Efficiency · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Economic Development · Committee vote 4 aye, 1 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

Highways

Law Enforcement

Protection of Personal Information

Vehicles & Traffic--Equipment

Vehicles & Traffic--Vehicle Registration

LICENSE PLATES

VIDEO CAMERAS

VIDEOTAPE & FILM

Text

The text as introduced · 230 words

89R1182 MCK-D

By: Cook
H.B. No. 1893

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the disclosure under the public information law of a

motor vehicle license plate number captured in a video recording

obtained or maintained by a law enforcement agency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 552.130, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f) The license plate number of a motor vehicle captured

visually or audibly in a video recording obtained or maintained by a

law enforcement agency is not confidential under this section or

Chapter 730, Transportation Code, and may be included in a video

recording disclosed under Section 552.021. This subsection does

not preclude a law enforcement agency from asserting other

exceptions to the disclosure of the information under this chapter.

SECTION 2. Section 730.007, Transportation Code, is amended

by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:

(h) A law enforcement agency may release a video recording

obtained or maintained by the law enforcement agency that includes

the license plate number of a motor vehicle captured visually or

audibly in the video in response to a request for public information

under Chapter 552, Government Code. The law enforcement agency is

not required to redact any license plate numbers before releasing

the video.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.