TX HB2331

Amends Texas Penal Code Section 20.05(a) to expand the offense of smuggling of persons by adding violations of state law to the existing federal law violations that trigger criminal liability

Removes the requirement that a person must be "concealing, harboring, or shielding" someone from detection when encouraging or inducing them to enter or remain in the country illegally—now the encouragement or inducement alone constitutes the offense

Retains existing provisions criminalizing use of vehicles to transport individuals with intent to conceal them from peace officers or flee from law enforcement

Applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025; prior offenses remain governed by former law