Texas 89th Legislature
Criminal Procedure
16 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 50 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
16 bills require immediate attention
Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.
Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a failure to stop or report those offenses; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to contracting with a school district or open-enrollment charter school by a vendor with whom a member of the board of trustees or governing body of the district or school or a related individual has certain business interests; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offenses of prohibited barratry and solicitation of professional employment.
Relating to investigations of certain cybercrimes.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for the offenses of providing or possessing with the intent to provide an alcoholic beverage, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug to a person in the custody of a correctional facility, taking an alcoholic beverage, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug into a correctional facility, and taking a controlled substance or dangerous drug on property owned, used, or controlled by a correctional facility.
Criminal Procedure Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (79)
Relating to discipline management and access to telehealth mental health services in public schools.
Relating to discipline management and access to telehealth mental health services in public schools.
Relating to the duty of the attorney general to represent the state in the prosecution of the criminal offense of trafficking of persons.
Relating to the duty of the attorney general to represent the state in the prosecution of the criminal offense of trafficking of persons.
Relating to sexual assault and other sex offenses.
Relating to sexual assault and other sex offenses.
Relating to the duty of a magistrate to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings.
Relating to the duty of a magistrate to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings.
Relating to the use of metal or body armor while committing certain offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to the use of metal or body armor while committing certain offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to contracting with a school district or open-enrollment charter school by a vendor with whom a member of the board of trustees or governing body of the district or school or a related individual has certain business interests; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to contracting with a school district or open-enrollment charter school by a vendor with whom a member of the board of trustees or governing body of the district or school or a related individual has certain business interests; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the prosecution of the offense of fraudulent use or possession of credit card or debit card information.
Relating to the prosecution of the offense of fraudulent use or possession of credit card or debit card information.
Relating to the reporting by law enforcement agencies of missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Relating to the reporting by law enforcement agencies of missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Relating to the disposition of abandoned or unclaimed property seized by a peace officer.
Relating to the disposition of abandoned or unclaimed property seized by a peace officer.
Relating to the rights of victims of sexual assault and other sex offenses, the offense of continuous sexual abuse, and the prosecution, punishment, and collateral consequences of certain sex offenses; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties; changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for persons convicted of certain sex offenses.
Relating to the rights of victims of sexual assault and other sex offenses, the offense of continuous sexual abuse, and the prosecution, punishment, and collateral consequences of certain sex offenses; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties; changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for persons convicted of certain sex offenses.
Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.
Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.
Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of certain provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including conforming amendments.
Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of certain provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including conforming amendments.
Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a failure to stop or report those offenses; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography and to the prosecution of sexual or assaultive offenses or the prosecution of a failure to stop or report those offenses; amending and harmonizing certain statute of limitations provisions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to the state law enforcement authority of federal National Park Service law enforcement officers.
Relating to the state law enforcement authority of federal National Park Service law enforcement officers.
Relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty; changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision.
Relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty; changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision.
Relating to creating the criminal offense of jugging.
Relating to creating the criminal offense of jugging.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty and changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for certain persons convicted of intoxication manslaughter.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty and changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for certain persons convicted of intoxication manslaughter.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain violations of certain court orders or conditions of bond in cases involving family violence, child abuse or neglect, sexual assault or abuse, indecent assault, stalking, or trafficking.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain violations of certain court orders or conditions of bond in cases involving family violence, child abuse or neglect, sexual assault or abuse, indecent assault, stalking, or trafficking.
Relating to the amount of the reimbursement fee paid by a defendant for a peace officer's services in executing or processing an arrest warrant, capias, or capias pro fine.
Relating to the amount of the reimbursement fee paid by a defendant for a peace officer's services in executing or processing an arrest warrant, capias, or capias pro fine.
Relating to changing the eligibility for release on parole of certain inmates serving sentences for trafficking offenses involving child victims and disabled individuals.
Relating to changing the eligibility for release on parole of certain inmates serving sentences for trafficking offenses involving child victims and disabled individuals.
Relating to the video recording of a deposition taken of the testimony of certain elderly or disabled persons in a criminal case.
Relating to the video recording of a deposition taken of the testimony of certain elderly or disabled persons in a criminal case.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the failure of certain sex offenders to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the failure of certain sex offenders to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
Relating to the period for which a person arrested for certain crimes involving family violence may be held after bond is posted.
Relating to the period for which a person arrested for certain crimes involving family violence may be held after bond is posted.
Relating to the venue for the prosecution of certain criminal conduct involving theft.
Relating to the venue for the prosecution of certain criminal conduct involving theft.
Relating to the practice and procedures for summoning prospective grand jurors and petit jurors and the exemption of certain persons from grand jury and petit jury service.
Relating to the practice and procedures for summoning prospective grand jurors and petit jurors and the exemption of certain persons from grand jury and petit jury service.
Relating to certain procedures in connection with a bond forfeiture.
Relating to certain procedures in connection with a bond forfeiture.
Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offenses of prohibited barratry and solicitation of professional employment.
Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offenses of prohibited barratry and solicitation of professional employment.
Relating to investigations of certain cybercrimes.
Relating to investigations of certain cybercrimes.
Relating to the prosecution of certain criminal offenses involving the unlawful disclosure of a residence address or telephone number.
Relating to the prosecution of certain criminal offenses involving the unlawful disclosure of a residence address or telephone number.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for the offenses of providing or possessing with the intent to provide an alcoholic beverage, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug to a person in the custody of a correctional facility, taking an alcoholic beverage, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug into a correctional facility, and taking a controlled substance or dangerous drug on property owned, used, or controlled by a correctional facility.
Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for the offenses of providing or possessing with the intent to provide an alcoholic beverage, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug to a person in the custody of a correctional facility, taking an alcoholic beverage, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug into a correctional facility, and taking a controlled substance or dangerous drug on property owned, used, or controlled by a correctional facility.
Relating to the criminal offense of disrupting a meeting or procession.
Relating to the criminal offense of disrupting a meeting or procession.
Relating to the confinement or release of defendants before trial or sentencing, including regulating charitable bail organizations, and the conditions of and procedures for setting bail and reviewing bail decisions.
Relating to the confinement or release of defendants before trial or sentencing, including regulating charitable bail organizations, and the conditions of and procedures for setting bail and reviewing bail decisions.
Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.
Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.
Relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.
Relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.
Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of possession, promotion, or production of certain obscene visual material appearing to depict a child.
Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of possession, promotion, or production of certain obscene visual material appearing to depict a child.
Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds to pay bail bonds; authorizing injunctive relief.
Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds to pay bail bonds; authorizing injunctive relief.
Relating to certain notice and filing requirements in court proceedings involving persons with mental illness.
Relating to certain notice and filing requirements in court proceedings involving persons with mental illness.
Relating to the offense of failure to report child abuse or neglect by certain professionals and the statute of limitations for that offense; harmonizing other statute of limitations provisions.
Relating to the offense of failure to report child abuse or neglect by certain professionals and the statute of limitations for that offense; harmonizing other statute of limitations provisions.
Relating to driving safety or motorcycle operator training course dismissal.
Relating to driving safety or motorcycle operator training course dismissal.
Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.
Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.
Relating to the purchase or sale of human organs; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to the purchase or sale of human organs; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to inpatient competency restoration services.
Relating to inpatient competency restoration services.
Relating to the admissibility of evidence regarding a victim's past sexual behavior in prosecutions of certain trafficking, sexual, or assaultive offenses.
Relating to the admissibility of evidence regarding a victim's past sexual behavior in prosecutions of certain trafficking, sexual, or assaultive offenses.
Relating to reporting information regarding certain evidence collection kits.
Relating to reporting information regarding certain evidence collection kits.
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.
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.
Relating to enhancing the criminal penalty for the offense of intoxication manslaughter in certain circumstances.
Relating to enhancing the criminal penalty for the offense of intoxication manslaughter in certain circumstances.
Relating to the offense of sexual assault and to the rights of crime victims, including the enforcement of certain rights of sexual assault victims; authorizing a civil penalty.
Relating to the offense of sexual assault and to the rights of crime victims, including the enforcement of certain rights of sexual assault victims; authorizing a civil penalty.
Relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone while intoxicated; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone while intoxicated; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to victims of sex offenses, sex-based human trafficking offenses, or acts of a sexual nature and to the confidentiality of or restrictions on the availability of certain property, material, or information regarding those victims, offenses, or acts.
Relating to victims of sex offenses, sex-based human trafficking offenses, or acts of a sexual nature and to the confidentiality of or restrictions on the availability of certain property, material, or information regarding those victims, offenses, or acts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on criminal procedure passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 79 laws related to criminal procedure. These bills were authored by 44 different legislators and address various aspects of criminal procedure policy in Texas.
- Did criminal procedure bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Criminal Procedure legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 48 Senate bills and 31 House bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most criminal procedure bills?
- The leading authors of criminal procedure legislation include Sen. Peter Flores (R) with 8 bills, Sen. Joan Huffman (R) with 8 bills, Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D) with 4 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on criminal procedure issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for criminal procedure legislation?
- Among the 79 criminal procedure bills enacted, 16 have critical compliance urgency and 29 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to criminal procedure in Texas law?
- Criminal Procedure legislation frequently overlaps with Criminal Procedure--general, Crimes, Criminal Procedure--sentencing & Punishment. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for criminal procedure legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 50 of the 79 criminal procedure bills (63%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on criminal procedure policy.
- When do Texas criminal procedure laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some criminal procedure bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
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