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HB 163TEXASSession 892State Billdead

Did Not Advance

Texas HB 163 allows crime victims to sue judges and magistrates up to $10 million for unlawful personal bond releases

Original title: Relating to liability of judges and magistrates for the improper release on personal bond of defendants accused of committing certain felony offenses.

Last action · August 15, 2025: FiledSponsor: Tom Oliverson

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Victims of violent crimes committed by defendants improperly released on can sue the responsible judge or for up to $10 million in damages. The legislation lifts defenses for judges and magistrates who violate personal bond restrictions under Article 17.03 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The new liability rules apply to bond releases occurring on or after the law's effective date.

Why it matters

Judges and s face direct financial liability of up to $10 million for bond decisions involving violent felony offenses, altering traditional protections in Texas courts.

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.

Directly affected

Judges and Magistrates

Judges and magistrates face civil liability up to $10 million and lose judicial immunity defenses for certain personal bond release decisions.

Directly affected

Crime Victims and Estates

Victims of violent crimes committed by individuals on personal bond gain a statutory cause of action to sue the releasing judicial officer.

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

Who is eligible to sue a judge or magistrate under this bill?

A victim of an offense committed by a person while released on , or the victim's estate if the victim is deceased.

Can judges use judicial immunity to defend themselves in these lawsuits?

No, the bill explicitly states that a judge or may not assert or other forms of immunity as a defense.

What is the maximum amount of damages that can be awarded?

The amount of damages awarded in an action under this section may not exceed $10 million.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · introduced in the House.

Procedural history

1 action

Aug 15, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

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.

Connected Entities

Tom Oliverson, Texas

PersonTom Oliverson“Bill author in the Texas House”Map →

locationTexas“State where the legislation applies”Map →

Sources

Open source document

capitol.texas.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
Controversy80
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz60
Current news / social attention level

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