The bill amends the jurisdictional provisions of the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals, specifically addressing their roles in criminal law matters. It introduces new language that grants the Texas Supreme Court jurisdiction to resolve conflicts with the Court of Criminal Appeals regarding the interpretation of the Texas Constitution, particularly in cases involving writs of certiorari and certified questions from federal courts. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the Court of Criminal Appeals has final appellate jurisdiction in criminal cases, with the ability to review decisions from lower courts, except in cases of conflict as defined by the new provisions.

The bill also revises the list of courts with criminal jurisdiction, adding the Texas Supreme Court to this list and removing several references to specific magistrates and courts that were previously included. The changes aim to streamline the judicial process and clarify the roles of the two courts in handling criminal law matters. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 22.001 (Government Code 22)