Legislative Tracker — Week of Oct 5, 2025

📅 This Week at a Glance (Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2025)

NY proposes a 1,500 ft statewide buffer; SMART Office opens FY 25 grants; TX Bee Cave ordinance takes effect; DE SOAR unit issues enforcement alert.

✅ Now in force

Bee Cave (TX) Ordinance — 2,000 ft child-safety buffer + Halloween rules now active. View coverage

🕒 Moving / Introduced

NY S-(TBD) — Statewide 1,500 ft residence buffer bill in committee. Times Union story

⚖️ Courts / Agencies

SMART Office — FY 25 Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant NOFO open. View NOFO
Delaware State Police SOAR Unit — Wanted-offender alert (Oct 3). Official alert

Gaps this week: No new federal bills or major court opinions on registry reform.

What’s ahead: Track NY committee schedule and SMART grant deadlines for FY 25 applications.

⭐ Highlights & Action Tools

New York — Statewide 1,500 ft Residence Buffer Proposal

Local leaders urge legislation to ban Level 2 & 3 offenders from living within 1,500 ft of schools or playgrounds.

residence restrictionbuffer zones

Look up your Senator Look up Assembly Member

Hello, I'm a New York constituent writing about the proposed 1,500-foot buffer. Large buffers restrict housing and don't enhance safety. Please ensure any bill is evidence-based and protects housing & family stability.

Texas — Bee Cave Ordinance Now in Effect

Bee Cave adopted a 2,000 ft buffer around child safety zones and added Halloween restrictions.

local ordinanceHalloween rules

Look up TX legislators

Hello, I'm a Texas resident regarding Bee Cave's new ordinance. Please consider statewide guidance that balances public safety with housing stability and avoids over-broad restrictions.

Delaware — SOAR Unit Enforcement Alert

The Delaware State Police SOAR unit issued a public list of wanted registrants on Oct 3.

registration enforcementnon-compliance

Find your DE legislators

Hello, I'm a Delaware resident. Please ensure enforcement actions protect public safety while safeguarding due process and clear registration guidance.

DOJ SMART Office — FY 25 Grant Guidance

The SMART Office released a webinar and NOFO to support SORNA implementation and coordination between jurisdictions.

SORNA implementationfederal grants

View NOFO Contact your Member of Congress

Hello, I'm writing to share information on the FY 25 SMART grant NOFO. Please ensure jurisdictions are aware of funding for training and technology to maintain SORNA compliance: https://smart.ojp.gov/funding

⚖️ Court Decisions & Litigation

No new decisions this week. Carry-forward: Donaldson v. City of El Reno (OK Sup Ct Feb 4 2025) — retroactive 2,000 ft residency buffer upheld (subject to future appeals).

📰 Media Coverage

Times Union: “Rensselaer County leaders call for state residency limits for sex offenders.”View article
Statesman: “Bee Cave passes sex offender residency restrictions.”View article

👁️ Watchlist / Ongoing Items

Track NY buffer bill progress and committee hearings.
Possible appeals in Oklahoma (Donaldson) and Alabama cohabitation case.
Monitor municipal ordinances expanding Halloween restrictions (TX, FL, OH).

Upcoming SMART and DOJ rulemaking on SORNA compliance.
New academic or NGO reports evaluating buffer zones, registry efficacy, or reentry outcomes.

🔎 SEO focus (internal)

sex offender registry reform
buffer zone legislation / residency restriction
SORNA compliance & grants
registry relief / termination
enforcement / noncompliance sweeps