The bill amends Article 24.16 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to expand the circumstances under which a subpoena can be issued to compel the attendance of certain peace officers as witnesses in misdemeanor cases. Specifically, it allows for a subpoena to be issued if a peace officer is a witness residing out of the county where the prosecution is pending, in cases that are punishable by fine only. The bill clarifies that both the state and the defendant are entitled to request such a subpoena, and it stipulates that witnesses in these misdemeanor cases will be compensated similarly to those in felony cases.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the application for a subpoena must follow the manner and form outlined in Article 24.03. It also notes that the provisions of this article do not apply to more than one character witness in a misdemeanor case. The changes made by this Act will only apply to criminal proceedings that commence on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, with prior proceedings governed by the law in effect at that time.