89R13959 MCF-D By: Johnson H.B. No. 3659 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the compensation to a county for certain persons confined in a county jail pending trial. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 17.54 to read as follows: Art. 17.54. COMPENSATION TO COUNTY FOR DEFENDANT NOT RELEASED ON BAIL. If a defendant charged with an offense punishable as a felony is not released on bail pending trial, the state shall compensate the county for the cost of confining the defendant in the county jail pending trial. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to compensation to a county for the cost of a defendant's confinement that occurs on or after January 1, 2026, regardless of whether the defendant is confined before, on, or after that date. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.