H.B. No. 4803 proposes the establishment of District Attorney offices for the Northeast Texas, Central Texas, Southeast Texas, and South Texas Regions. The bill amends Chapter 43 of the Government Code by adding Subchapter C, which outlines the powers and duties of the district attorneys in these regions. Each district attorney will be elected by the voters of their respective region and will represent the state in all cases before the district courts within their counties. The bill specifies the counties included in each region and mandates that district attorneys assist one another in their duties. Additionally, it establishes that these regions will be considered a "district" for Sixth Amendment purposes.

The bill also includes provisions for the representation of the state in criminal matters, allowing district attorneys to assert their prerogative to represent the state in any criminal case within their region. It outlines the process for notification and relinquishment of representation, as well as the ability to transfer prosecution to another county within the region. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Texas Legislature appropriate funding to support these district attorney offices, including staffing and operational expenses. The initial vacancies for these offices will be filled by appointment, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 46.002 (Government Code 46)