HB172
Criminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain range of punishment, etc.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
March 12, 2026
House: Senate amendments agreed to by House (63-Y 34-N 0-A)
Chief Patron:
Leslie Mehta (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Criminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain punishment.
Provides that an accused may withdraw a request for a jury to ascertain punishment up until the commencement of the sentencing proceeding. The bill also provides that counsel for either party shall have the right to examine jurors regarding the potential punishment, or range or ranges of punishment, regardless of ... (More) whether the jury will ascertain punishment and that the court or counsel for either party may inform any person or juror during voir dire as to the potential punishment, or range or ranges of punishment, to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the guilt or sentencing phase of the case. Current law provides that the court or counsel for either party may inform any person or juror during voir dire as to the potential range of punishment to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the sentencing phase of the case.The bill also provides that in the case of a juvenile defendant, the court and counsel for either party may inform any such person or juror as to the potential punishment, or range or ranges of punishment, to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the guilt or sentencing phase of the case; however, the court shall sentence such juvenile pursuant to relevant law. (Less)
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Bill History
- 01/06/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103279D
- 01/06/2026 - House: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 01/19/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB172)
- 01/29/2026 - House: Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
- 01/29/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 01/30/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 01/30/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)
- 02/03/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/04/2026 - House: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 7-N)
- 02/04/2026 - House: Committee substitute printed 26106766D-H1
- 02/06/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/09/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/09/2026 - House: committee substitute agreed to
- 02/09/2026 - House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute
- 02/10/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (63-Y 34-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 02/11/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/11/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 02/16/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB172)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 03/11/2026 - Senate: Read third time
- 03/11/2026 - Senate: Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
- 03/11/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate as amended
- 03/11/2026 - Senate: Passed Senate with amendments (21-Y 19-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 03/12/2026 - House: Senate amendments agreed to by House (63-Y 34-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
