Overall Vote Recommendation

Yes

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

HB 2306 seeks to amend Texas Government Code §508.145 to change parole eligibility for individuals convicted of certain human trafficking offenses involving child victims or persons with disabilities. Specifically, the bill makes individuals convicted under Penal Code §20A.02(a)(5), (6), (7), or (8)—which pertain to trafficking offenses where the victim is a child or a person with a disability—ineligible for parole. It also includes offenses under §20A.03, if they are based on conduct that includes any of those specified subsections. Additionally, the bill updates references to other Penal Code sections to reflect these changes, removing outdated numbering and renumbering the list accordingly.

The legislation further amends §508.145(d)(1) to clarify which inmates are subject to a delayed parole eligibility process, excluding those covered under the newly revised subsection (a). To support this legislative update, HB 2306 repeals Article 42.01991 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Government Code §508.145(c-1), thereby eliminating redundant or superseded statutory provisions.

The bill includes a non-retroactivity clause, ensuring that its provisions apply only to offenses committed on or after the bill’s effective date. Offenses occurring before September 1, 2025, will continue to be governed by existing laws at the time of the offense. This maintains legal clarity and avoids ex post facto complications in parole decisions for current inmates. Overall, HB 2306 tightens parole restrictions in targeted cases to enhance protection for vulnerable populations without making sweeping changes to the broader parole framework.

Author (5)

Denise Villalobos

Terri Leo-Wilson

Ellen Troxclair

David Cook

Mihaela Plesa

Co-Author (76)

Daniel Alders

Jeffrey Barry

Keith Bell

Salman Bhojani

Bradley Buckley

Ben Bumgarner

Angie Chen Button

Briscoe Cain

Terry Canales

Tom Craddick

Charles Cunningham

Pat Curry

Jay Dean

Mano DeAyala

Mark Dorazio

Paul Dyson

Caroline Fairly

James Frank

Gary Gates

Stan Gerdes

Ryan Guillen

Caroline Harris Davila

Richard Hayes

Cole Hefner

Hillary Hickland

Janis Holt

Andy Hopper

Lacey Hull

Todd Hunter

Carrie Isaac

Venton Jones

Helen Kerwin

Stan Kitzman

Marc LaHood

Stan Lambert

Brooks Landgraf

Mitch Little

Oscar Longoria

Janie Lopez

A.J. Louderback

David Lowe

J. M. Lozano

John Lujan

Shelley Luther

Christian Manuel

Armando Martinez

Don McLaughlin

John McQueeney

William Metcalf

Terry Meza

Brent Money

Joseph Moody

Penny Morales Shaw

Eddie Morales

Matt Morgan

Candy Noble

Mike Olcott

Tom Oliverson

Claudia Ordaz

Angelia Orr

Jared Patterson

Dennis Paul

Vincent Perez

Richard Raymond

Keresa Richardson

Jon Rosenthal

Nate Schatzline

Alan Schoolcraft

Joanne Shofner

Shelby Slawson

Valoree Swanson

Carl Tepper

Steve Toth

Cody Vasut

Trey Wharton

Terry Wilson

Sponsor (1)

Tan Parker

Contact the Author

Rep. Denise Villalobos

Capitol Phone:

(512) 463-0462

Capitol Office:

EXT E2.812

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 2306 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the State of Texas. The bill would make individuals convicted of certain human trafficking offenses involving children and disabled individuals ineligible for parole, but the LBB concludes that any resulting effect on the state’s correctional population or its demand for correctional resources would be minimal.

The rationale for this assessment is that the number of individuals affected by the changes to parole eligibility is likely to be small relative to the total incarcerated population. As such, the incremental costs of housing these individuals for longer periods—due to their ineligibility for parole—would not materially increase overall correctional system expenditures.

Similarly, the bill is not anticipated to impose a significant financial burden on local governments. Costs related to enforcement, prosecution, supervision, or local detention facilities are expected to be negligible or absorbed within existing resources. In summary, HB 2306 tightens parole eligibility criteria for a narrow class of offenses without generating substantial new costs for state or local government entities.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 2306 responsibly strengthens parole eligibility standards for individuals convicted of human trafficking offenses involving children or persons with disabilities. It does so by closing loopholes in current law that may permit early release of offenders who have committed some of the most serious and exploitative crimes. This targeted reform reinforces the principles of justice and public safety while ensuring that Texas law better protects society’s most vulnerable populations.

Crucially, the bill does not grow the size or scope of government. It amends existing parole provisions within the established operations of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles. It introduces no new agencies, enforcement mandates, or programs. The legislation also does not increase the regulatory burden on individuals or businesses—its effect is confined solely to the criminal justice process and impacts only a narrowly defined class of convicted offenders.

In terms of fiscal responsibility, HB 2306 imposes no significant cost to taxpayers. The Legislative Budget Board has determined that any additional incarceration costs resulting from longer sentences for this specific group of offenders would be negligible and would not necessitate additional state resources.

Overall, HB 2306 represents a prudent and narrowly tailored criminal justice enhancement. It upholds the liberty and dignity of victims, reinforces personal accountability for traffickers, respects constitutional due process, and avoids expanding government or imposing new costs or burdens. Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 2306.

HB 2306 enhances protections for children and disabled individuals—groups whose liberty is most at risk in human trafficking crimes. By ensuring that traffickers who exploit these individuals are not eligible for early parole, the bill affirms the state’s duty to safeguard the fundamental rights and bodily autonomy of all persons, especially those least able to defend themselves.
The bill reinforces the concept that individuals must face the full consequences of serious criminal conduct. It eliminates the possibility of parole for offenders who knowingly engage in or profit from trafficking involving forced labor or sexual exploitation of children or disabled individuals. This clear accountability promotes a justice system that aligns with moral responsibility and deterrence.
There is no effect on free enterprise. HB 2306 targets criminal activity and does not regulate or interfere with lawful economic or commercial operations.
The bill does not implicate or restrict property rights in any way.
HB 2306 is a model of limited government in action. It does not create new laws, programs, or bureaucracies; rather, it amends existing parole eligibility rules within the framework of the current criminal justice system. It is focused, non-intrusive, and respects the boundaries of governmental authority. Moreover, the bill includes a prospective-only application, avoiding retroactive punishment and maintaining constitutional due process.

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