The bill amends Article 42.15 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to establish new guidelines for the payment of fines and costs by defendants. A significant addition is Subsection (a-3), which stipulates that courts cannot require a defendant to pay more than five percent of their monthly income towards fines and costs without the defendant's agreement. Additionally, Subsection (b) is modified to clarify that courts may direct defendants to pay the total amount of fines and costs either immediately upon sentencing, at a later date, or in specified portions at designated intervals.

The changes introduced by this bill will apply to defendants sentenced for offenses on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, regardless of when the offense occurred. This legislation aims to provide a more manageable payment structure for defendants, ensuring that financial obligations do not exceed a reasonable percentage of their income.