HB331
Proceedings deferred; payment of costs.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
March 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Chief Patron:
Adele McClure (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Payment of costs when proceedings deferred and defendant placed on probation.
Provides that for any deferral entered into on or after July 1, 2026, pursuant to relevant law, the court shall not require the defendant to pay such costs or other fees imposed pursuant to relevant law as a term or condition of his deferral. The bill states that upon fulfillment ... (More) of all other terms and conditions, the court shall adjudicate the matter consistent with the agreement of the parties or, if none, by conviction of an alternative charge or dismissal of the case. The bill specifies that such costs and other fees shall remain due until paid, and all methods of payment and collection already in place to satisfy or collect any outstanding costs or other fees shall remain available to such court after the underlying case against the defendant has been adjudicated or dismissed. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/11/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101411D
- 01/11/2026 - House: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 01/19/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB331)
- 01/20/2026 - House: Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
- 01/20/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 01/21/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 01/21/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
- 01/27/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 01/28/2026 - House: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (17-Y 3-N)
- 01/29/2026 - House: Committee substitute printed 26105868D-H1
- 01/30/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/02/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/02/2026 - House: committee substitute agreed to
- 02/02/2026 - House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute
- 02/03/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)
- 02/04/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/04/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 02/25/2026 - Senate: Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)
- 02/25/2026 - Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
- 03/03/2026 - Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)
- 03/03/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 03/03/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/03/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- 03/04/2026 - Senate: Read third time
- 03/04/2026 - Senate: Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to
- 03/04/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate as amended
- 03/04/2026 - Senate: Passed Senate with amendment (21-Y 19-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 03/06/2026 - House: Senate amendment agreed to by House (65-Y 31-N 0-A)
- 03/13/2026 - House: Enrolled
- 03/13/2026 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB331ER)
- 03/13/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB331)
- 03/13/2026 - House: Signed by Speaker
- 03/13/2026 - Senate: Signed by President
- 03/14/2026 - House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- 03/14/2026 - Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
