The bill, H.B. No. 1650, proposes an amendment to Article 22.17(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, extending the time frame for filing a special bill of review regarding bail bond forfeiture judgments from two years to four years. This special bill allows the surety on the bond to request a reform of the final judgment on equitable grounds, potentially leading to the remission of all or part of the bond amount after deducting court costs, reasonable costs for returning the principal, and accrued interest from the date of forfeiture. The court retains discretion to grant or deny the bill in whole or in part.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the amended provisions will only apply to bail bonds with final judgments of forfeiture entered on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Any bail bonds with judgments entered prior to this date will continue to be governed by the existing law at that time.