H.B. No. 916 seeks to improve the tracking, reporting, and management of proceeds and property from asset forfeiture proceedings under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill amends Article 59.06 by adding new subsections that permit state attorneys and special rangers to form local agreements for transferring proceeds from forfeited property to a special fund designated for law enforcement purposes. It also specifies that these proceeds can be allocated for costs associated with audits and compliance with reporting requirements. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that restrict the disbursement of funds to law enforcement agencies or attorneys that do not meet their reporting obligations.

The legislation mandates the creation of a case tracking system by the attorney general to gather detailed data on seized or forfeited property, including the involved law enforcement agency, the nature of the offense, and the final disposition of the property. It requires the establishment of a searchable internet database to publicly disclose expenditures from forfeited property proceeds while protecting personally identifiable information. The bill emphasizes accountability and transparency, allowing the attorney general to extend reporting deadlines for good cause and impose civil penalties for non-compliance. It also waives sovereign and governmental immunity for liabilities arising from these penalties, mandates that collected penalties be deposited into the general revenue fund, and stipulates that all information submitted to or published by the attorney general regarding property seizures is public, with certain exceptions. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply to state fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.