FORT WORTH – State Representative David Acton (R-Fort Worth, District 91) today called on legislative leadership to prioritize the North Texas Highway Anti-Trafficking Act for immediate consideration when the Texas House convenes in January. Representative Acton, who filed the bill in late December, emphasized the urgent need to equip law enforcement and commercial truck drivers with the tools to disrupt human trafficking along Texas highways, especially major North Texas corridors like I-35W, I-20, and I-30, before more victims are transported through our communities. “Human trafficking doesn’t stop when we take a vacation,” said Representative Acton. “Every day that passes without stronger safeguards on our highways puts vulnerable people—often women and young boys and girls—at greater risk. North Texas is a key transit point for these criminal networks. We have a ready, targeted solution in the North Texas Highway Anti-Trafficking Act, and I’m calling on the House to place it on the first available docket in January so we can move quickly to protect our families and support those on the front lines.” The bill includes: • Mandatory advanced human trafficking training for highway patrol officers in larger counties. • A voluntary “Truckers Against Trafficking” certification program with vehicle decals and rewards of up to $1,000 for drivers whose credible tips lead to rescues or arrests. • Increased targeted patrols by the Department of Public Safety along high-risk North Texas routes. • Expanded outreach at rest areas and truck stops, plus grants for local law enforcement to fund anti-trafficking operations. • $5 million in dedicated funding to implement these measures effectively. Representative Acton is asking colleagues and legislative leadership to join in his support for the bill’s swift passage. “This is a bipartisan issue at its core: saving lives and stopping exploitation,” he said. “I’m ready to work with anyone who shares the goal of making our highways safer from this horrific crime. Let’s get this bill heard and passed early in the session.” The Texas Legislature is scheduled to convene in January 2026. Representative Acton is urging that the North Texas Highway Anti-Trafficking Act be among the first measures considered to ensure rapid deployment of these critical resources.