The bill, S.B. No. 1083, amends Article 26.04 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to introduce a new provision specifically for counties with populations of 2.5 million or more that are adjacent to counties with populations exceeding 2.1 million. This new subsection (i-1) allows for the appointment of an attorney to represent an indigent person solely for the purpose of their appearance before a magistrate, as required by specific articles of the law. The attorney may only represent the individual in subsequent proceedings if they are appointed for that purpose under the existing provisions of the article, and this appointment is contingent upon the county appropriating funds for this purpose.

The bill stipulates that the new provision applies only to individuals arrested on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Those arrested prior to this date will continue to be governed by the law in effect at the time of their arrest, ensuring that the previous legal framework remains applicable for those cases.