PRIA Logo™
TexasHB 144589th Legislature Regular SessionHouse

Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

Courts--JudgesCriminal Procedure--Defense CounselINDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Payment deadlines and appeals for appointed lawyers

The law covers Texas lawyers appointed to represent people who cannot afford counsel in criminal and juvenile cases. It applies to expenses incurred on or after September 1, 2025. County fee schedules must set reasonable fixed rates or minimum and maximum hourly rates, considering overhead and available qualified lawyers. Payment requires an itemized service form and approval from the responsible judge or managed assigned counsel program director or designee. Counties must pay approved amounts under their fee schedules within 45 days after the payment application is submitted. When a judge or director rejects the requested amount, written findings must state the approved amount and each reason for changing it. Lawyers can appeal a rejection or a failure to act after 60 days from submission. The regional presiding judge reviews the appeal, may hold a hearing, and decides the proper payment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 304 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/25/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/25/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

Record vote

Yes: 143 • No: 1

House vote • 4/28/2025

Record vote

Yes: 145 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Criminal Justice

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Criminal Jurisprudence

Yes: 10 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Filed without the Governor's signature

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    5/28/2025House

  4. Signed in the Senate

    5/27/2025Senate

  5. Signed in the House

    5/27/2025House

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/26/2025House

  7. Senate passage reported

    5/25/2025House

  8. Record vote

    5/25/2025Senate

  9. Passed

    5/25/2025Senate

  10. Read 3rd time

    5/25/2025Senate

  11. Record vote

    5/25/2025Senate

  12. Three day rule suspended

    5/25/2025Senate

  13. Vote recorded in Journal

    5/25/2025Senate

  14. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading

    5/25/2025Senate

  15. Laid before the Senate

    5/25/2025Senate

  16. Placed on local & uncontested calendar

    5/25/2025Senate

  17. Placed on intent calendar

    5/23/2025Senate

  18. Committee report printed and distributed

    5/21/2025Senate

  19. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar

    5/21/2025Senate

  20. Reported favorably w/o amendments

    5/21/2025Senate

  21. Vote taken in committee

    5/20/2025Senate

  22. Considered in public hearing

    5/20/2025Senate

  23. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .

    5/20/2025Senate

  24. Referred to Criminal Justice

    4/30/2025Senate

  25. Read first time

    4/30/2025Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation