The bill, S.B. No. 55, proposes amendments to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the credit defendants receive toward the payment of fines and costs. Key changes include increasing the daily credit rate for confinement and labor from $100 to $150. Specifically, Article 43.09(a) now allows defendants to earn $150 for each day of confinement or labor performed in county jail industries programs, workhouses, or public projects. Additionally, defendants will receive $150 credit for each eight hours of community service performed, as reflected in Articles 45A.251(e), 45A.254(e), 45A.459(i), and 45A.460(i).

The bill also clarifies that defendants awaiting trial or serving sentences for other offenses will receive credit for confinement at the same rate of $150 per day. These changes apply to defendants who are confined or perform labor to discharge fines or costs on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. The amendments aim to provide more substantial financial relief to defendants unable to pay their fines and costs.