Governor Greg Abbott has kicked off the first special session of the 89th Texas Legislature, focusing on 18 key priorities, including significant changes to police oversight in Dallas. This special session, which runs until August 19, 2025, is characterized by a fast-paced agenda set exclusively by the governor.

Among the highlighted bills is Senate Bill 14, which aims to redefine how law enforcement agencies maintain and access files related to their officers. This legislation proposes that each officer will have a separate "department file," distinct from their personnel file, containing records of alleged misconduct that did not lead to formal charges. The bill classifies these department files as confidential, limiting access primarily to law enforcement agencies and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement during investigations.

Critically, SB 14 could hinder the Dallas Community Police Oversight Board's ability to fulfill its oversight responsibilities. The board may be restricted from reviewing past complaints, even if new evidence arises, which raises concerns about transparency and accountability in policing.

The Senate State Affairs Committee has already voted favorably on the bill, and further assessments of its implications are underway. As the session progresses, the community and stakeholders will be closely monitoring how these legislative changes could impact police oversight in Dallas.