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HB 2644

Relating to the amount of a fine and costs discharged by a defendant while confined in jail or engaged in labor.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Harold Dutton

HB 2644 adjusts monetary credits awarded to Texas defendants for jail confinement and labor toward satisfying fines and court costs.

Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
#corrections--jails&prisons(i0092) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208)
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Bill Summary · HB 2644

Legislative bill overview

HB 2644 modifies how fines and court costs are credited to defendants who are incarcerated or performing jail labor. The bill adjusts the monetary amounts that can be discharged through confinement or work while serving jail time, changing the current credit system for financial obligations.

Why is this important

This affects thousands of low-income defendants annually who cannot afford fines and costs, determining whether they can satisfy legal obligations through jail time or labor rather than cash payment. The policy directly impacts how quickly people can be released from the criminal justice system and their ability to reintegrate into society without debt burden.

Potential points of contention

  • Clarification needed: The bill title doesn't specify whether it increases or decreases credit amounts, making the actual impact direction unclear without seeing the full text
  • Equity concerns: Changes to jail-time credits could disproportionately affect economically disadvantaged defendants who rely on this mechanism instead of paying cash fines
  • Implementation complexity: Jail systems must track and calculate these credits accurately; changes could create administrative burden and potential errors in release calculations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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