SB 2180: Hagenbuch Polygraph Bill Gives Officers Until 2027 To Get Certified

Caption

relating to requiring a certification for peace officers to conduct certain polygraph examinations.

Summary

Approved course plus a commission exam. The law starts in 2025, the requirement in 2027.

The bill directs the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to write rules barring peace officers from giving polygraph exams for police hiring, criminal investigations, or post-conviction sex offender tests unless they finish an approved training course and pass a commission exam. It touches peace officers who run polygraphs and the agencies that use them, and it requires sex offender polygraphs to follow American Polygraph Association guidelines. Officers would need the new certification to give these exams, but they do not have to comply until January 1, 2027.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2180 · 2025-03-10

SOLD BY

Sen. Brent HagenbuchRSenate 30

Sen. Pete FloresRSenate 24

ITEM

relating to requiring a certification for peace officers to conduct certain polygraph examinations.

WHAT IT DOES

Approved course plus a commission exam. The law starts in 2025, the requirement in 2027.

The bill directs the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to write rules barring peace officers from giving polygraph exams for police hiring, criminal investigations, or post-conviction sex offender tests unless they finish an approved training course and pass a commission exam. It touches peace officers who run polygraphs and the agencies that use them, and it requires sex offender polygraphs to follow American Polygraph Association guidelines. Officers would need the new certification to give these exams, but they do not have to comply until January 1, 2027.

CHARGES

[x] DELAYED STARTanalysis confidence 45%

THE TEXT

…“this Act, until January 1, 2027.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but officers do not have to follow the new certification rules until January 1, 2027. That is after the November 3, 2026 general election. The gap reads like an ordinary phase-in for training, so confidence is moderate.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · April 8, 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

Mar 10, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Mar 10, 2025Filed
Mar 24, 2025Read first time
Mar 24, 2025Referred to Criminal Justice
Apr 8, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 8, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 8, 2025Testimony taken in committee
Apr 8, 2025Vote taken in committee
Apr 10, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
Apr 10, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
Apr 10, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
Apr 15, 2025Placed on intent calendar
Apr 16, 2025Placed on local & uncontested calendar
Apr 16, 2025Laid before the Senate
Apr 16, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
Apr 16, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
Apr 16, 2025Three day rule suspended
Apr 16, 2025Record vote
Apr 16, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 16, 2025Passed
Apr 16, 2025Record vote
Apr 16, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 17, 2025Received from the Senate
Apr 22, 2025Read first time
Apr 22, 2025Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
May 1, 2025Considered in formal meeting
May 1, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
May 8, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
May 8, 2025Committee report distributed
May 9, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
May 15, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 19, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
May 19, 2025Read 2nd time
May 19, 2025Passed to 3rd reading
May 19, 2025Record vote RV#2966
May 19, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 20, 2025Read 3rd time
May 20, 2025Passed
May 20, 2025Record vote RV#3036
May 20, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 20, 2025House passage reported
May 20, 2025Reported enrolled
May 21, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 21, 2025Signed in the House
May 21, 2025Sent to the Governor
May 30, 2025Signed by the Governor
May 30, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 136 yea · 9 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

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

Senate: Final passage · Apr 16, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Brent Hagenbuch

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$50K Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC$25KJohn Kleinheinz$25,000

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 27, 2024 to Jun 15, 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$50,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$50,000.00

Cash: $50,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $50,000.00

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 23, 2025 to Sep 8, 2025. 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: 101010787, 101032653.

Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC$25,000.00

Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC

$25,000.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $25,000.00

Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Apr 8, 2026 to Apr 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Apr 21, 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: 101058859.

John Kleinheinz$25,000.00

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$50,000.00

Cash: $50,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $50,000.00

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 23, 2025 to Sep 8, 2025. 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: 101010787, 101032653.

×

Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC

$25,000.00

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $25,000.00

Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Apr 8, 2026 to Apr 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Apr 21, 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: 101058859.

Votes5

House May 20, 2025

Yea: 136
Nay: 9
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 2
Excused: 1

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3036

SB 2180 was passed by (Record 3036): 136 Yeas, 9 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 136 (published)
Nay: 9 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

House May 19, 2025

Yea: 134
Nay: 5
Present, not voting: 3
Absent: 4
Excused: 4

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2966

SB 2180 was passed to third reading by (Record 2966): 134 Yeas, 5 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 134 (published)
Nay: 5 (published)
Present, not voting: 3 (published)
Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Final passage

Yea: 31
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 2180 (Hagenbuch, Flores) Relating to requiring a certification for peace officers to conduct certain polygraph examinations. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea: 31
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 2180 (Hagenbuch, Flores) Relating to requiring a certification for peace officers to conduct certain polygraph examinations. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Passage to engrossment

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to engrossment. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

CSSB 2180 (Hagenbuch, Flores) Relating to requiring a certification for peace officers to conduct certain polygraph examinations. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Witnesses9

For: 5
Against: 2
On: 2

Names

For

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)1 registration
Dallas Police Association1 registration
Self1 registration
Texas Assoc of Law Enforcement Polygraph Investigators1 registration
Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)1 registration

Against

Self2 registrations

On

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement1 registration
Texas DPS1 registration

Sources

9 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

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

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 S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · April 8, 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 I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Mar 10, 2025

05/30/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

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

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:17 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Companion

HB 4956 by Isaac (identical)

Subjects

Criminal Procedure--General

Law Enforcement

Occupational Regulation--Other Trades & Professions

PEACE OFFICERS

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS

LAW ENFORCEMENT, TEXAS COMMISSION ON

Text

The text as introduced · 308 words

89R13748 GP-F

By: Hagenbuch, Flores
S.B. No. 2180

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring a certification for peace officers to conduct

certain polygraph examinations.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is

amended by adding Section 1701.318 to read as follows:

Sec. 1701.318. CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR PEACE OFFICERS TO

CONDUCT POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS. (a) The commission by rule may

establish minimum requirements for the training, testing, and

certification of peace officers to conduct polygraph examinations

for the purpose of:

(1) a preemployment examination of a candidate

applying for a position that requires a license under this chapter;

(2) a criminal investigation; or

(3) a post-conviction sex offender test.

(b) The commission shall adopt rules prohibiting a peace

officer from conducting a polygraph examination for a purpose

described by Subsection (a) unless the officer:

(1) completes a training course approved by the

commission; and

(2) passes an examination administered by the

commission that is designed to test the officer's knowledge of

investigative polygraphy.

(c) The commission shall issue a certification to conduct

polygraph examinations to a peace officer who applies for the

certification, completes the required training, and passes the

required examination.

(d) A peace officer holding a certification issued under

this section must conduct a test described by Subsection (a)(3) in

accordance with guidelines established by the American Polygraph

Association, or a successor entity.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt

rules required by Section 1701.318, Occupations Code, as added by

this Act.

SECTION 3. A peace officer is not required to comply with

rules adopted under Section 1701.318, Occupations Code, as added by

this Act, until January 1, 2027.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet PAC

House May 20, 2025

House May 19, 2025

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Senate Apr 16, 2025

For

Against

On

Companion