What Changed for Texas Parole After the 2025 Legislative Session

If you or someone you care about is on parole in Texas, the latest legislative session brought a mix of progress and setbacks. A few new laws expand supervision options or tweak parole eligibility rules. Others make it harder for people to get out, or stay out, on bond.

One proposal that would have allowed long-term parolees to ask for early release, HB 280, looked promising but didn’t make it past committee. So while it’s off the table for now, there’s still a lot to know about what did pass and how it could affect your future.

Here’s what changed, and what didn’t, in the 2025 Texas legislative session.

What laws passed that could affect parole and reentry?

 

No new law directly changed how parole is supervised this session, but several new bills (and one major ballot item) could still affect people in the system. Most of the new laws focus on how people are charged, held, or released before trial.

Why does that matter for parole?

Because how someone enters the system often shapes how, or if, they ever get out.

SJR 5 – Denying Bail for Certain Felony Offenses

 

Status: On the November 2025 ballot as Proposition 3

SJR 5 gives judges the power to deny bail in certain serious felony cases if prosecutors can prove either:

•  That the person is likely to skip court (based on a preponderance of the evidence),
• Or that releasing them would pose a serious threat (based on clear and convincing evidence)

It applies to people charged with:

• Murder or capital murder
• Aggravated assault causing serious injury or involving a weapon
• Aggravated kidnapping, robbery, or sexual assault
• Indecency with a child
• Human trafficking or continuous trafficking of persons

If passed, Proposition 3 would let judges hold someone without bail before trial, based on specific findings and a written explanation, not just the charge alone.

Why it matters: Under current law, bail is a constitutional right in most felony cases, and denial is rare. This amendment would expand the state’s power to detain people before trial, shifting more discretion to judges based on risk, not just the charges filed.

SB 9 – Limits on Cashless Bail

 

Effective: Enrolled – Effective September 1, 2025 (phased through 2026)

SB 9 restricts when judges can release someone without requiring them to post money bail. It also creates new rules for when prosecutors can challenge a judge’s decision to allow release.

Here’s what it does:

• Makes personal bonds (no-money release) off-limits in many violent felony and repeat offense cases
• Requires judges to issue written findings explaining why someone qualifies for release
• Gives prosecutors the right to appeal bail decisions they believe are too lenient
• Limits when magistrates (rather than full judges) can set bail

SB 9 is part of a broader push to tighten control earlier in the process, moving Texas away from risk-based release and toward stricter pretrial rules, especially in felony cases.

SB 40 – Public Funding Ban on Bail Support

 

Effective: Enrolled – Effective September 1, 2025

SB 40 makes it illegal for cities, counties, or other local governments to use public money to help bail someone out of jail. That includes giving money to nonprofit bail funds, even if the organization raises most of its support from donations.

Here’s what the law does:

• Prohibits cities and counties from spending public funds to support any nonprofit that pays bail for defendants
• Allows residents or taxpayers to sue to stop a local government from doing so
• Lets those who win in court recover attorney’s fees and costs

Supporters say the law protects public resources. Critics argue it removes an important safety net, especially for people accused of low-level offenses who don’t have the money to post bond.

Why it matters:

People are presumed innocent under both the Texas and U.S. Constitutions and usually have the right to bail unless charged with capital murder or certain repeat felonies.

SB 40 marks a sharp departure from community-based efforts to support pretrial release, cutting off public help even for low-level charges and leaving nonprofits with fewer ways to assist.

SB 1300 – Harsher Penalties for Organized Retail Theft

 

Effective: Enrolled – Effective September 1, 2025

SB 1300 significantly raises the stakes for people accused of organized retail theft, especially when the crime involves multiple thefts or reselling stolen merchandise.

Here’s what the law does:

• Expands the definition of organized retail theft to include people who coordinate theft or resale efforts, even across multiple dates or stores
• Allows prosecutors to combine the value of stolen goods from different incidents into a single charge
• Increases the penalty tiers based on the total amount stolen
• Raises the charge to a first-degree felony if the total value exceeds $300,000, which can carry a sentence of up to life in prison

Why it matters:
This law is part of a broader effort to address organized “boosting” rings and smash-and-grab thefts. But it also gives prosecutors more room to escalate charges in cases that used to result in misdemeanors, raising the risk of long sentences even before parole is ever on the table.

Did HB 280 Pass?

 

No, and it’s off the table for now.

We talked more about what HB 280 could’ve meant in this earlier post, but the gist is: it would’ve let long-term parolees with clean records ask the court for early release. It depended on a constitutional amendment, HJR 37, which never made it out of committee, so the bill couldn’t move forward.

We’ll be watching to see if lawmakers bring it back in a future session.

What’s on the Ballot in November?

 

Proposition 3 (SJR 5) is headed to voters this fall. As we covered above, this constitutional amendment would expand judicial discretion to deny bail in certain felony cases based on risk or likelihood of skipping court.

Here’s a quick refresher on what to know:

• Proposition 3 (SJR 5): Would let judges deny bail in serious felony cases if prosecutors present evidence of danger to the public or flight risk.

Key Dates:

• Last day to register to vote: October 6, 2025
• Early voting: October 20–31, 2025
• Election Day: November 4, 2025

Check your registration and ballot info at VoteTexas.gov.

What other legislation could impact people on parole?

 

Even though parole supervision rules didn’t change directly, some new laws could influence the process moving forward.

HB 75 – Requiring Written Findings When Probable Cause Is Denied

Effective: Enrolled – September 1, 2025

Under HB 75, if a magistrate (judge) finds that there’s no probable cause to hold someone after an arrest, they must enter written findings in the court record within 24 hours to explain why.

Here’s what the law does:

• Requires judges to document the reasoning behind a “no probable cause” decision.
• Applies only to offenses committed on or after the effective date.

Why it matters:
It doesn’t change parole directly, but it’s part of a wider push for transparency. When judges have to explain why they’re letting someone go, it brings clarity to the process, and that matters in a system where early decisions can shape what happens down the road.

Potential pros and cons:
This added layer of documentation could be a win for defense attorneys and advocates. It holds judges more accountable and gives people navigating the system something solid to point to when early rulings feel inconsistent or unfair.

But there’s a flip side. Some judges might choose to hold people longer rather than issue a “no probable cause” ruling; they’ll have to justify in writing. That could mean more pretrial detention, not less. And since the law only applies to new offenses after September 1, 2025, its overall impact will take time to see.

What Didn’t Make It Through

 

Some of the most talked-about reforms failed to pass:

• HB 3006: Would have required air conditioning in Texas prisons by 2032. It passed the House but was never assigned to a Senate committee, missing the deadline to move forward. That’s three sessions in a row A/C reform has stalled.
• HB 3725: Would’ve restricted indefinite solitary confinement based on gang classification. It never even got a committee hearing.
• HB 413: Would’ve prevented someone from being held longer than the maximum sentence for their charge (unless undergoing a mental health evaluation). It passed, but was vetoed by the governor.

Bottom line? Proposals aimed at improving prison conditions didn’t make it this session.

What Does This Mean for Someone on Parole Right Now?

 

Some changes may be felt sooner than others, but they’re worth knowing. Here’s what could affect your day-to-day experience:

• More communication from the parole board.
  Supervision updates and policy shifts may be shared more regularly, especially as rules evolve.
• Expanded reentry support.
  Some programs are growing, whether that’s job assistance, counseling, or housing referrals.
• Greater flexibility for check-ins.
  If you qualify, remote supervision options may help reduce travel or scheduling burdens.

What should I do now?

 

Even though HB 280 didn’t pass, staying prepared is still a smart move. Good records, strong support, and knowing your rights can make a real difference, especially if new opportunities arise in the future.

4 Ways to Prepare Right Now

1. Stay compliant.
   Avoid violations and revocations. Past proposals like HB 280 only applied to people with a clean 10-year record, and future reforms may do the same.
2. Build your record.
   Keep anything that shows progress: work history, certificates, program completions, and support letters. It all helps tell your story.
3. Know your rights.
   Laws change. Understanding what’s already passed and what might be next can help you make informed choices. A good parole attorney can guide you through it.
4. Watch the ballot.
   Proposals like SJR 5 could shape how the system works. Make sure you’re registered and ready to vote.

Whether you’re dealing with a bail hearing now or planning ahead, having the right legal support matters. Reach out to Greg Tsioros for a free consultation and get the guidance you or your loved one needs. →

Why This All Matters

 

For many on parole, the process can feel never-ending, even after years of staying on track and doing everything right. HB 280 didn’t pass, but it sparked an important conversation, one about how and when people should finally be able to move forward.

That matters. Because even without new laws on the books, these kinds of proposals show growing recognition that long-term parolees deserve a clearer path to closure.

The system didn’t shift this session, but the discussion is happening. And that’s how meaningful opportunities begin to take shape.

Final Takeaway

 

The system’s still flawed, but conversations are happening, and momentum is building. Even when reform bills don’t pass, they can spark real dialogue about what needs to change.

Stay informed. Stay ready. Parole reform is on the minds of lawmakers and communities alike, and being prepared now can make all the difference when opportunity does come.

Want to understand how these changes apply to you?

Want to understand how these changes apply to you? Reach out to Greg Tsioros to talk through your options with someone who understands Texas parole law.