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Bill

HB 2229

Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files by a statutory county court.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Erin Gámez and 3 co-sponsors

HB 2229 authorizes Texas statutory county courts to expunge arrest records, expanding access to record-clearing procedures for individuals with dismissed or non-conviction arrests.

Received from the House
#criminalrecords(s0008) #courts--county&statutory(i0115) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #expunctionofrecords(s0189)
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Bill Summary · HB 2229

Legislative bill overview

HB 2229 allows statutory county courts in Texas to expunge (permanently erase) arrest records and related files under certain circumstances. The bill expands access to record expunction procedures, which currently may be limited or unavailable in some county court jurisdictions. This gives individuals a legal pathway to clear arrest records that may impact employment, housing, and other opportunities.

Why is this important

Arrest records—even for charges that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or didn't lead to conviction—can create lasting barriers to employment, professional licensing, and housing. Expanding expunction authority to statutory county courts increases access to this remedy, particularly for individuals in counties relying on these lower courts. This affects both justice-involved individuals seeking to rebuild their lives and employers' hiring practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of eligibility: Unclear which types of arrests qualify for expunction under this bill—whether all dismissed charges are eligible or only specific categories, which could create equity issues
  • Implementation burden: Statutory county courts may lack resources or infrastructure to handle expunction petitions, potentially creating delays or inconsistent application
  • Public safety concerns: Some argue expunction removes transparency that law enforcement and courts rely on, though expunged records typically remain accessible to certain agencies

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

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