Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

________________ C RIMINAL
USTICE/General/General
RIMINAL JUSTICE
77 th Texas Legislature
Refunding Bail Money to Defendant - S.B. 173
by Senator Carona
House Sponsor: Representative Hinojosa
A criminal defendant is refunded all cash funds posted for his or her bail bond when the defendant has
complied with all of the conditions of that bond.
Allows all cash funds posted on a criminal defendant's bail bond to be refunded to a surety if there is a
surety on the bond. Clarifies that if there are funds to be refunded to the defendant, the custodian of funds
is authorized to deduct any outstanding fines and court costs owed by the defendant.
Misdemeanor Process in Alternate County - S.B. 219
by Senator Armbrister
House Sponsor: Representative Carter
Currently, a person arrested in a county other than the one in which the person committed an offense is
required to be taken before a magistrate of the county in which the offense occurred. This process can be
inconvenient and costly.
Requires a magistrate to accept from a person arrested under a warrant issued in another county for an
offense punishable by a fine only a written plea of guilty or nolo contendere, set a fine, determine costs,
accept payment of the fine and costs, give credit for time served, determine indigency, or on satisfaction of
the judgment, discharge the defendant, as the case may indicate.
Lower Costs for Inmate Prescription Drugs Using Federal Pricing Program - S.B. 347
by Senator Brown
House Sponsor: Representative Haggerty
Currently, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) purchases pharmaceutical drugs
for the Texas prison system through a drug consortium, thus reducing the cost. By participating in the
federal "340B" drug pricing program, pharmaceutical drugs can be purchased for an even lower cost if
UTMB, the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee (CMHCC), the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice (TDCJ), and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center make the necessary administrative
and contract modifications in order to qualify for the program.
Requires TDCJ to modify its contracts with CMHCC so that UTMB can purchase prescription drugs for the
prison population at federal "340B" prices.
No Skipping Out on Hotel Bills - S.B. 437
by Senator Staples
House Sponsor: Representative Allen
Texas lodging properties have had problems with patrons who, after checking into a room for a designated
number of days, have refused to vacate the room at the agreed checkout time. Local police departments
have indicated that they are without statutory authority to assist lodging properties in vacating persons who
refuse to depart the property after the agreed checkout time.
Senate Research Center 42