H.B. No. 2837 aims to clarify the involvement of state, local, and court authorities in determining the lawful presence of victims, witnesses, and certain detained individuals in the United States. The bill repeals several provisions from the Code of Criminal Procedure, Government Code, Local Government Code, and Penal Code, which may have previously governed these determinations.

Additionally, the bill amends Article 17.16(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure to modify the conditions under which a surety can relieve themselves of their obligations. Specifically, it removes the requirement for the surety to state that the accused is in federal custody and instead allows for the acknowledgment of the accused being in state custody or any county within the state. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.