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HB 2328

Relating to the procedures for the expunction of arrest records and files; authorizing a fee.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Mano DeAyala and 1 co-sponsor

Texas bill authorizing expunction fees for arrest record clearing, potentially improving access while raising affordability concerns for low-income individuals.

Left pending in committee
#courtadministration #officeof(v8690) #criminalrecords(s0008) #courts--personnel(i0155) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #email&electroniccommunications(s0321) #expunctionofrecords(s0189)
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Bill Summary · HB 2328

Legislative bill overview

HB 2328 modifies Texas procedures for expunging arrest records—clearing official documentation of arrests from public view. The bill authorizes the state to charge a fee for processing expunction requests, potentially creating a revenue mechanism while streamlining the expunction process.

Why is this important

Expunction is critical for individuals arrested but not convicted, as arrest records can harm employment, housing, and licensing opportunities even without conviction. This bill balances access to clean records with administrative costs, though the fee structure could create barriers for low-income Texans seeking expunctions.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee accessibility: Higher expunction fees may prevent financially disadvantaged individuals from clearing their records, potentially creating a two-tiered justice system based on ability to pay
  • Administrative burden: Opponents may argue that expunction procedures are already overly complex and adding fees discourages legitimate requests from those entitled to relief
  • Scope of authorization: The bill's exact fee amount and any low-income exemptions remain unclear from available information, making it difficult to assess fairness without seeing committee details

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

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