Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB5170

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision and parole for certain felony offenses in which a firearm is used or exhibited and to certain consequences on conviction of certain offenses.

Impact

The legislative intent behind HB 5170 is to deter crime involving firearms by imposing longer sentences, thereby addressing concerns over gun-related violence and recidivism. By changing eligibility parameters for community supervision and parole, the bill seeks to ensure that individuals convicted of certain firearm-related offenses serve longer periods before being considered for supervised release. This aligns with broader state efforts to enhance criminal penalties related to gun crimes, contributing to potential improvements in community safety.

Summary

House Bill 5170 aims to amend the Texas Penal Code by increasing the minimum term of imprisonment for certain felony offenses where a firearm is used or exhibited. Specifically, it focuses on second and third-degree felonies listed under Article 42A.054(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, increasing the minimum imprisonment term to five years if an affirmative finding is made in the judgment. This bill reflects a stricter stance on felony crimes involving firearms, emphasizing public safety and accountability for offenders.

Contention

Critics of HB 5170 may argue that increasing minimum sentences could lead to overcrowding in prisons and may not necessarily translate to a decrease in crime rates. Concerns about racial and economic disparities in sentencing outcomes have also surfaced in discussions surrounding the bill. The debate centers on whether the lengthened sentences effectively improve public safety or merely perpetuate a cycle of incarceration without addressing underlying issues of crime such as socioeconomic factors and mental health.

Effective-date

The changes proposed by this Act would apply only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, thereby allowing individuals charged under the previous laws to be governed by the law in effect at the time of the offense.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Penal Code

  • Chapter 12. Punishments
    • Section: New Section

Code Of Criminal Procedure

  • Chapter 42. Judgment And Sentence
    • Section: New Section

Government Code

  • Chapter 508. Parole And Mandatory Supervision
    • Section: 145

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX SB23

Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision and parole for certain felony offenses in which a firearm is used or exhibited and to certain consequences on conviction of certain offenses.

TX HB4843

Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision and parole for certain felony offenses in which a firearm is used or exhibited, to certain consequences on conviction of certain of those offenses, and to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony.

TX SB787

Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment for certain felony offenses in which a firearm is used or exhibited.

TX HB1728

Relating to the release on bail of certain defendants accused of committing a felony offense and the criminal consequences of committing a felony while released on bail for a prior felony; creating a criminal offense; increasing the minimum term of imprisonment for certain felonies; changing eligibility for deferred adjudication community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole.

TX SB2019

Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision and parole of certain persons convicted of sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault.

TX HB93

Relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision and parole for certain repeat intoxication offenders.

TX HB1742

Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for persons convicted of intoxication manslaughter.

TX SB324

Relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision for certain repeat intoxication offenders.

TX HB1629

Relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision of a person convicted of certain burglary offenses.

TX HB3983

Relating to changing the eligibility for release on parole or to mandatory supervision of a person convicted of certain violent offenses.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.