Q
What does Texas SB1271 do?
SB 1271 authorizes the Governor to accept concurrent jurisdiction over U. S. military installations in Texas, effectively allowing state laws to be enforced alongside federal regulations on federal property.
Signed Into Law
Signed May 27, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB1271
Regular Session
Relating to the concurrent jurisdiction of this state over United States military installations with respect to certain subject matters.
Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis
SB1271: Government Affairs Overview
SB 1271 authorizes the Governor to accept concurrent jurisdiction over U. S. military installations in Texas, effectively allowing state laws to be enforced alongside federal regulations on federal property.
Sen. Kelly Hancock·Senate Bill·Regular Session
LowStandard timeline
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
County Clerks • Juvenile Justice Departments • Office of the Governor • Secretary of State • State Courts
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SB1271
LowRelating to the concurrent jurisdiction of this state over United States military installations with respect to certain subject matters.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01Enforcing Agencies
County ClerksJuvenile Justice DepartmentsOffice of the GovernorSecretary of State+1 more
Primary Author: Sen. Kelly Hancock
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01
Compliance Analysis
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
Implementation Timeline
- Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
- Compliance Deadline: Site-Specific. Compliance obligations trigger only after the Governor accepts a federal application for a specific installation and files the acceptance with the Secretary of State.
- Agency Rulemaking: No traditional rulemaking is required. However, the "regulatory gray zone" exists between the effective date and the specific filing of jurisdiction for each military base. You must monitor filings to know when the law applies to your specific job site.
Immediate Action Plan
- Audit Site Locations: Identify every active contract performed on U.S. military installations in Texas.
- Update Legal Hold Procedures: Ensure your legal team is prepared to handle discovery and litigation in Texas State Courts for on-base incidents, rather than exclusively Federal Courts.
- Monitor County Filings: Assign a compliance officer to track filings with the Secretary of State and relevant County Clerks starting Q3 2025.
- Review Liability Coverage: Confirm with your carrier that your liability insurance covers state-law tort claims arising on federal enclaves.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
- Governing Law Clauses: Review all vendor agreements and employment contracts for staff based on military installations. Ensure "Governing Law" clauses account for Texas state jurisdiction, not just Federal Enclave law.
- MOU Alignment: If you subcontract for a municipality providing services on-base (e.g., utilities, waste), your service agreements may require amendment to align with new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) established between the local government and the base commander.
Hiring/Training
- Incident Response Protocols: Update site manager training. In the event of a workplace crime or altercation, staff must know whether to contact Military Police, the County Sheriff, or both. Jurisdiction will depend on the specific "subject matters" accepted by the Governor for that base.
- HR & Background Checks: Adjust HR procedures for on-base employees. Disciplinary actions involving criminal conduct may now result in state-level prosecution rather than federal processing, altering how arrests and convictions appear on background screenings.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
- Jurisdictional Verification: You must establish a process to periodically verify the jurisdictional status of the bases where you operate. This requires checking records with the County Clerk in the county where the installation is located to see if an "Acceptance of Jurisdiction" has been filed.
- Metes and Bounds: Maintain precise maps of your work sites. The jurisdiction transfer may apply only to specific parcels (defined by metes and bounds) within the installation.
Fees & Costs
- Insurance Premiums: Consult your broker regarding General Liability policies. While the State retains immunity under this bill, private contractors do not. Plaintiffs may leverage state tort laws now applicable on-base to target contractors, potentially necessitating higher coverage limits.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
- "Certain Subject Matters": The law allows the Governor to accept jurisdiction over *specific* legal areas (e.g., juvenile justice only) rather than total jurisdiction. This creates a potential patchwork where one base operates under different rules than another. Do not apply a blanket policy across all Texas military sites.
- Termination of Jurisdiction: The process for the State to *relinquish* jurisdiction back to the federal government is subject to negotiation. This creates regulatory uncertainty if political priorities shift; a base could flip between exclusive federal and concurrent jurisdiction.
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JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.
Schedule a ConsultationInformation presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.
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Legislative Timeline
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
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Fiscal NoteView Original
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Related by Topic
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Quick Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SB1271
Q
Who authored SB1271?
SB1271 was authored by Texas Senator Kelly Hancock during the Regular Session.
Q
When was SB1271 signed into law?
SB1271 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 27, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce SB1271?
SB1271 is enforced by County Clerks, Juvenile Justice Departments, Office of the Governor, Secretary of State and State Courts.
Q
How significant are the changes in SB1271?
The regulatory priority for SB1271 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.
Q
What is the cost impact of SB1271?
The cost impact of SB1271 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does SB1271 address?
SB1271 addresses topics including crimes, crimes--juvenile, criminal procedure, criminal procedure--general and family.
Q
What are the key dates for SB1271?
Key dates for SB1271: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.
Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?
JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.
Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026