The bill, H.B. No. 1261, amends Articles 18.17(a), (b), (c), and (d) of the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the handling of abandoned or unclaimed property seized by peace officers in Texas. Key changes include the requirement for law enforcement agencies to provide notice of unclaimed property not only by certified mail but also through a one-time notice on their Internet and social networking websites. Additionally, the bill stipulates that if the property has a fair market value of $500 or more and the owner is unknown, a notice must be published in a local newspaper or on the agency's website. The timeframe for owners to claim their property has been extended to 90 days after the notice is issued.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the process for the disposition of property, stating that if the property is not claimed, the proceeds from its sale will be deposited into the treasury of the municipality or county. It also specifies that any sale of property valued at $500 or more must be preceded by a notice published at least 14 days prior to the sale date. The provisions of this bill will apply to personal property seized on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, while property seized before this date will continue to be governed by the previous law.