H.B. No. 2697
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain procedures in connection with a bond
  forfeiture.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 17.19, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Subject to Subsection (a-1), a [Any] surety that wants[,
  desiring] to surrender the surety's [his] principal and has
  notified [after notifying] the principal's attorney, if the
  principal is represented by an attorney, in a manner provided by
  Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, of the surety's intention
  to surrender the principal, may file an affidavit of that [such]
  intention before the court or magistrate before which the
  prosecution is pending.  The affidavit must state:
               (1)  the court and cause number of the case;
               (2)  the name of the defendant;
               (3)  the offense with which the defendant is charged;
               (4)  the date of the bond;
               (5)  the cause for the surrender; and
               (6)  that notice of the surety's intention to surrender
  the principal has been given as required by this subsection and
  Subsection (a-1), if applicable.
         (a-1)  If the offense with which the defendant is charged is
  classified as a felony under the Penal Code, in addition to
  satisfying the requirements provided by Subsection (a), a surety
  must, before filing the affidavit described by that subsection,
  notify the attorney representing the state with jurisdiction in the
  case of the surety's intention to surrender the principal.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2697 was passed by the House on May 8,
  2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 1, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2697 was passed by the Senate on May
  23, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor