The bill, S.B. No. 987, amends Section 571.171 of the Government Code to clarify the subject matter jurisdiction of criminal trial courts in Texas. Specifically, it introduces a new subsection (d) that states the section does not require the exhaustion of civil, including administrative, remedies as a prerequisite for a trial court to have jurisdiction over a criminal action. This means that a trial court can exercise its jurisdiction over criminal cases without the need for parties to first resolve any related civil matters.

The provisions of this bill apply to criminal actions that are commenced before, on, or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. This change aims to streamline the process for criminal cases by removing the requirement to exhaust civil remedies, thereby allowing for more efficient handling of criminal matters in the courts.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 571.171 (Government Code 571)