The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Texas HB 1291 authorizes prosecutors to consent to subsequent habeas corpus applications in felony cases
Last action · March 10, 2025: Referred to Criminal JurisprudenceSponsor: Senfronia Thompson
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What This Bill Proposed
HB 1291 allows courts to consider a subsequent in a felony case if the state's primary prosecuting attorney consents in writing. The measure applies to applications filed on or after September 1, 2025.
The change gives local prosecutors discretionary authority to allow courts to review successive post-conviction habeas corpus filings that otherwise would be barred under standard procedural rules.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
district attorneys, criminal district attorneys, and county attorneys with criminal jurisdiction
State prosecutors gain the legal authority to consent in writing to a court's consideration of a subsequent writ of habeas corpus.
defendants filing subsequent writs of habeas corpus
Applicants may have their subsequent habeas corpus applications considered by a court if the primary prosecuting attorney provides written consent.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HB 1291 change about subsequent habeas corpus applications?
Who qualifies as an 'attorney representing the state' under this bill?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Mar 10, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Criminal Jurisprudence
- Mar 10, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time
- Nov 13, 2024HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
capitol.texas.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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