PROVIDED SUMMARY
Search Warrants; Authorizing a search warrant to be issued to recover a deceased body; revising the time within which certain search warrants must be returned to the court; providing that a judge may authorize a law enforcement officer applying for a search warrant to appear remotely; providing that a judge may authorize a law enforcement officer applying for a search warrant or court order to appear remotely, etc.
Full bill text →
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATED
Extends search warrant deadlines and allows remote applications.
The bill extends the deadline to return search warrants for electronic devices from 45 days to 365 days, giving law enforcement a full year to complete their analysis.
It authorizes judges to allow law enforcement officers to apply for search warrants and court orders remotely using audio-video communication technology.
The legislation adds the recovery of a deceased body as a specific legal ground for issuing a search warrant under state law.
It clarifies that a search warrant for electronic data is timely if the device is physically seized within 10 days of issuance.
KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1
Remote Appearance for Search Warrants
majors. 934.025
AIJudges may now allow law enforcement officers to apply for search warrants and court orders remotely via audio-video communication technology.
“A judge may authorize a law enforcement officer applying for a search warrant or court order pursuant to this chapter to appear remotely using audio-video communication technology.”
bill text, line 13 →
§ 2
Extended Return Periods for Digital Warrants
majors. 933.05
AISearch warrants for computers and electronic devices must be returned within 365 days, up from 45 days, provided the device was seized within 10 days.
“For a computer, a computer system, or an electronic device must be returned within 365 days”
bill text, line 56 →
§ 3
New Ground for Search Warrants
moderates. 933.02
AISearch warrants may now be issued specifically to recover a deceased body.
§ 4
Expanded Drone Search Warrant Scope
moderates. 934.50
AISearch warrants authorizing drone use may now include areas where evidence of a crime might reasonably be found, not just specific locations.
“including, but not limited to, a search warrant authorizing a law enforcement agency to search an area or areas where evidence that a crime was committed might reasonably be found”
bill text, line 111 →
TIMELINE
3/4/2026
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 359 (Ch....
3/4/2026
Substituted CS/HB 359 -SJ 561
3/4/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 561
3/2/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/04/26
2/19/2026
CS by Rules read 1st time
2/19/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/19/2026
Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/17/2026
CS by- Rules; YEAS 24 NAYS 0
2/12/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/17/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/10/2026
Favorable by Judiciary; YEAS 11 NAYS 0
2/5/2026
On Committee agenda-- Judiciary, 02/10/26, 12:00 pm, 110 Senate Building
1/27/2026
Now in Judiciary
1/26/2026
Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/21/2026
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/26/26, 3:30 pm, 37...
12/1/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Rules
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STATUTES IT CHANGES
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