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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds to |
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pay bail bonds; authorizing injunctive relief. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 140, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 140.014 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 140.014. RESTRICTION ON USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BY |
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POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS TO PAY BAIL BONDS. (a) A political |
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subdivision may not spend public funds to pay a nonprofit |
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organization that accepts and uses donations from the public to |
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deposit money with a court in the amount of a defendant's bail bond. |
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(b) If a political subdivision engages in an activity |
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prohibited by Subsection (a), a taxpayer or resident of the |
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political subdivision is entitled to appropriate injunctive relief |
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to prevent further activity prohibited by that subsection and |
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further payment of public funds related to that activity. |
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(c) A party that prevails in an action under Subsection (b) |
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is entitled to recover the party's reasonable attorney's fees and |
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costs. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |