By: Johnson H.B. No. 5066
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the reimbursement to a county for forensic science
expenses associated with certain crimes.
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. REIMBURSEMENT TO A COUNTY FOR FORENSIC SCIENCE
ON CERTAIN FELONIES. 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 forensic science
expenses associated with the offense.
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.