HB 743

Relating to a justice or municipal court's authority to order a defendant confined in jail for failure to pay a fine or cost or for contempt and to the authority of a municipality to enforce the collection of certain fines by imprisonment of the defendant.

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

HB 743 prohibits justice and municipal courts from ordering incarceration for individuals failing to pay fines or for contempt related to fine-only offenses. It also prevents municipalities from using confinement as a method to enforce fine collection, instead relying on civil measures like property execution. The law applies to judgments entered or undischarged as of its effective date, September 1, 2025.

Author (1)

Diego Bernal

Contact the Author

Rep. Diego Bernal

Capitol Phone:

(512) 463-0532

Capitol Office:

CAP 4N.6

E-Mail:

[email protected]

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