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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the reimbursement to a county for forensic science |
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expenses associated with certain crimes. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Article 17.54 to read as follows: |
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Art. 17.54. REIMBURSEMENT TO A COUNTY FOR FORENSIC SCIENCE |
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ON CERTAIN FELONIES. If a defendant charged with an offense |
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punishable as a felony is not released on bail pending trial, the |
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state shall compensate the county for the cost of forensic science |
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expenses associated with the offense. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to compensation to a county for the cost of a defendant's |
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confinement that occurs on or after January 1, 2026, regardless of |
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whether the defendant is confined before, on, or after that date. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |