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Signed Into Law
Signed May 21, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB906

Regular Session

Relating to the authority of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo to commission peace officers.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB906: Government Affairs Overview

Senate Bill 906 grants the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo the statutory authority to commission peace officers with full powers to enforce Texas state law within their reservation boundaries. This legislation shifts primary law enforcement jurisdiction for businesses located on or adjacent to Tribal lands in the El Paso region from municipal or county agencies to the Tribal Police Department.

Sen. Cesar Blanco·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) • Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Peace Officers • Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribal Council

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SB906
Low
Relating to the authority of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo to commission peace officers.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
TCOLEYsleta del Sur Pueblo Peace Offi...Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribal Cou...
Primary Author: Sen. Cesar Blanco
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: September 1, 2025 (Security protocols must be updated by this date; there is no phase-in period).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) will not issue new rules, but the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo must establish departmental protocols and commission officers prior to the effective date.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Map Your Assets: Immediately determine if any of your physical locations or logistics routes fall within the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo reservation boundaries.
  • Update Emergency Protocols: Revise site safety plans to ensure the correct law enforcement agency is contacted during an emergency effective September 1, 2025.
  • Review Insurance: Consult with your broker to confirm that your liability coverage remains valid when relying on Tribal law enforcement for police response.
  • Establish Liaison: If you have significant operations on the reservation, direct your Security Director to introduce themselves to the incoming Tribal Police leadership to establish a working relationship.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Private Security Vendors: Contracts with private security firms operating on Tribal land must be amended to update "chain of custody" and arrest protocols. Vendors must be legally compelled to hand over detainees to Tribal Peace Officers, not El Paso PD.
  • Insurance Policies: General Liability and Risk Management policies must be reviewed. Ensure coverage extends to incidents involving a sovereign tribal entity, as recourse for police negligence or misconduct will differ from standard municipal liability.

Hiring/Training

  • Security Personnel: In-house and contract security staff stationed on Tribal land require immediate retraining on the new jurisdictional hierarchy and emergency contact procedures (dispatching Tribal Police vs. 911).

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Incident Reporting: Incident reports for crimes occurring on your premises (theft, assault, trespass) will now be generated by the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. Legal teams must establish a protocol for requesting these records, as the Tribe’s internal procedures may differ from the standard Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) process used by cities.

Fees & Costs

  • No Direct Fees: There are no new state levies or fees associated with this bill.
  • Indirect Costs: Potential minor legal costs associated with updating site security plans and reviewing insurance exclusions regarding sovereign entities.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Sovereign Immunity vs. State Liability: While these officers enforce *state* law, they are employed by a *sovereign nation*. It is legally ambiguous whether the Tribe will waive sovereign immunity for civil torts (e.g., excessive force claims on your property). Expect litigation to define the limits of liability.
  • Jurisdictional Boundaries: The physical demarcation of "reservation land" can be complex. Ambiguity exists regarding "hot pursuit" scenarios where Tribal officers leave the reservation or municipal officers enter it.
  • Public Information Access: It is unclear if the Tribe will fully adhere to the Texas Public Information Act for police records, or if they will apply stricter Tribal privacy laws to incident reports.

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Information 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.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Jan 24, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 2, 2025
Passed House
May 8, 2025
Signed
May 21, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsLaw EnforcementNative AmericansPeace Officers
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Cesar BlancoDemocrat · Primary Author
Coauthors (1)

House Sponsor

Rep. Mary GonzalezDemocrat · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB906

Q

What does Texas SB906 do?

Senate Bill 906 grants the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo the statutory authority to commission peace officers with full powers to enforce Texas state law within their reservation boundaries. This legislation shifts primary law enforcement jurisdiction for businesses located on or adjacent to Tribal lands in the El Paso region from municipal or county agencies to the Tribal Police Department.

Q

Who authored SB906?

SB906 was authored by Texas Senator Cesar Blanco during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB906 signed into law?

SB906 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 21, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB906?

SB906 is enforced by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Peace Officers and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribal Council.

Q

How significant are the changes in SB906?

The regulatory priority for SB906 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB906?

The cost impact of SB906 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB906 address?

SB906 addresses topics including law enforcement, native americans and peace officers.

Q

What are the key dates for SB906?

Key dates for SB906: 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