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AN ACT
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relating to the payment of restitution. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 493.035, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (c-1), (c-2), and (c-3) to read as follows: |
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(c-1) The department shall transfer to the clerk of the |
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court that entered an order of restitution for which the department |
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received notice as described by Subsection (c)(1) a restitution |
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payment derived from unclaimed property for which a claim was filed |
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by the department as described by Subsection (a). The department |
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shall include with the restitution payment the last known address |
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of the victim available to the department, if any. |
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(c-2) The department shall post on the department's |
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Internet website the contact information for a department employee |
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who is able to respond to inquiries from county officials regarding |
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a transferred restitution payment. |
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(c-3) Information provided to the clerk of a court under |
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Subsection (c-1) is confidential and not subject to disclosure |
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under Chapter 552. |
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SECTION 2. Section 508.322, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (c) and (e) and adding Subsection (c-3) to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) When a parole panel orders the payment of restitution |
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from a releasee as provided by Article 42.037(h), Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, the department shall: |
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(1) collect the payment for disbursement to the |
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victim; |
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(2) deposit the payment in the releasee restitution |
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fund; [and] |
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(3) transmit the payment to the clerk of the court that |
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entered the order of restitution as soon as practicable for the |
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clerk to remit the payment to the victim; and |
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(4) provide at the time the payment is transmitted |
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under Subdivision (3) to the clerk of the court that entered the |
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order of restitution the last known address of the victim available |
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to the department, if any. |
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(c-3) Information provided to the clerk of a court under |
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Subsection (c)(4) is confidential and not subject to disclosure |
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under Chapter 552. |
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(e) If a victim who is entitled to restitution does not make |
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a claim for payment before the third [fifth] anniversary of the date |
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the clerk of the court receives the initial restitution payment or |
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if, after the victim makes a claim for payment, the clerk is unable |
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to locate the victim for a period of three [five] years after the |
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date the clerk last made a payment to the victim, any unclaimed |
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restitution payments being held by the clerk for payment to the |
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victim are presumed abandoned. The clerk of the court shall report |
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and deliver to the comptroller all unclaimed restitution payments |
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presumed abandoned under this section in the manner provided by |
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Chapter 77, Property Code. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1666 passed the Senate on |
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May 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1666 passed the House on |
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May 15, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 0, two |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |