Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Meeting Video(s)

TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 22nd, 2025 at 11:04 am

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

The committee meeting focused on a range of topics surrounding criminal justice reform, with significant emphasis on House Bills 3166 and 3330. Representative Cook presented HB 3166, which proposed a system for prosecutor-initiated resentencing, allowing courts to adjust the punishment for inmates based on changing circumstances. This bill aims to rectify injustices in cases where new evidence arises. Public testimony included support from various stakeholders, emphasizing the need for a more flexible justice system that can consider circumstances affecting individual cases, particularly for nonviolent offenders. On the contrary, HB 3330 faced opposition from the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, which argued that it would undermine key protections established by the Michael Morton Act, designed to prevent wrongful convictions for innocent individuals. Testimonies highlighted concerns about the potential for setbacks in protecting the rights and dignity of the accused, creating a heavy atmosphere during discussions on the bill.

Bills on the Agenda

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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB867

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the dismissal of a criminal case by the attorney representing the state.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1347

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the prosecution of the offense of exploitation of a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1801

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the definition of authorized peace officer for purposes of certain laws governing the installation and use of tracking equipment and access to certain communications.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1820

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files when a grand jury fails to find that probable cause exists to believe the alleged offense was committed.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2197

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the protection of an unborn child's rights and criminal liability and justification for prohibited conduct.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2617

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the procedures for the expunction of arrest records and files for persons who complete certain court programs or pretrial intervention programs.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3110

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to civil asset forfeiture of digital currency or other similar property.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3166

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the authority of a court to grant a commutation of punishment to certain individuals serving a term of imprisonment and to victims' rights regarding a motion to grant a commutation.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HJR148

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Sent toSOS
 
Proposed Const. Amend.
 
Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to enact laws providing for a court to grant a commutation of punishment to certain individuals serving a term of imprisonment.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3330

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to discovery in a criminal case.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4237

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to appeals from a justice or municipal court.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4342

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the admissibility of certain hearsay statements in the prosecution of certain sexual or assaultive offenses committed against a child or person with a disability.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4629

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to jury instructions regarding parole eligibility for certain felony offenses that are not eligible for parole.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4933

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the disposition of a seized weapon belonging to a person who is not prosecuted or convicted for an offense involving the weapon.