HB 170: Guillen Deadly Force Bill Presumes Immunity After Any Dismissal

Caption

relating to civil liability arising out of justified uses of or threats to use force or deadly force.

Summary

Dismissed for any reason? Presumed justified and immune. Whoever sued can owe fees and lost income.

The bill shields a person who uses or threatens force or deadly force that is legally justified from being sued for the resulting injury or death. It also presumes the person was justified and immune whenever a grand jury declines to indict, or a related criminal charge ends in acquittal or dismissal. A person found immune can make the side that sued pay back attorney's fees, court costs, lost income and other expenses, starting with claims that arise on or after September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: GOT HALFWAY. Passed the House on May 13, 2025. Died in the Senate: never got out of the State Affairs committee.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB170 · 2024-11-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Ryan GuillenRHouse 31

Rep. Benjamin BumgarnerRHouse 63

Rep. Stan GerdesRHouse 17

+ 1 more author, 25 coauthors

ITEM

relating to civil liability arising out of justified uses of or threats to use force or deadly force.

WHAT IT DOES

Dismissed for any reason? Presumed justified and immune. Whoever sued can owe fees and lost income.

The bill shields a person who uses or threatens force or deadly force that is legally justified from being sued for the resulting injury or death. It also presumes the person was justified and immune whenever a grand jury declines to indict, or a related criminal charge ends in acquittal or dismissal. A person found immune can make the side that sued pay back attorney's fees, court costs, lost income and other expenses, starting with claims that arise on or after September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[x] DRAGNETanalysis confidence 45%

THE CAPTION

“relating to civil liability arising out of justified uses of or”…

Caption, House committee report version (H)

THE TEXT

…“or threatened use of force or deadly force results in acquittal or”…

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The caption covers justified uses of force. The presumption of immunity is triggered by any acquittal or dismissal, and a charge can be dismissed for reasons that have nothing to do with justification, so it can reach cases beyond justified force. The text does not say whether the presumption can be rebutted, which keeps confidence moderate.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version H · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · March 27, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Nov 12, 2024Filed
Feb 27, 2025Read first time
Feb 27, 2025Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Mar 19, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Mar 19, 2025Considered in public hearing
Mar 19, 2025Committee substitute considered in committee
Mar 19, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Mar 19, 2025Left pending in committee
Mar 26, 2025Considered in public hearing
Mar 26, 2025Committee substitute considered in committee
Mar 26, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
Apr 9, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 9, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 10, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
May 5, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 7, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 9, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
May 12, 2025Read 2nd time
May 12, 2025Passed to engrossment
May 12, 2025Record vote RV#2192
May 12, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 13, 2025Read 3rd time
May 13, 2025Passed
May 13, 2025Record vote RV#2264
May 13, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 13, 2025Reported engrossed
May 14, 2025Received from the House
May 14, 2025Read first time
May 14, 2025Referred to State Affairs

FILED UNDER

SPEECH AND LAWFARE

THE TEXT

…“83.001 is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees, court”…

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The bill creates a lawsuit shield for people who use or threaten justified force, and makes the person who sued pay their fees and costs when immunity is found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 118 yea · 20 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 13, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Ryan Guillen

Donors

Frontera Texas PAC$160K Texas Sands PAC$121K Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$23K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Frontera Texas PAC$160,007.97

Frontera Texas PAC

$160,007.97

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $160,007.97
Total: $160,007.97

Other filed descriptions $73,500.00mail $40,000.00mailing $19,429.94texting $18,144.37digital $8,211.55printing $722.11

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 5, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 30, 2025 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101062168, 101070155, 101073001.

Texas Sands PAC$120,875.00

Texas Sands PAC

$120,875.00

Cash: $113,500.00
Paid by others: $7,375.00
Total: $120,875.00

polling $7,375.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989191, 101033369, 101062168, 101073001.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$22,795.90

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$22,795.90

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $22,795.90
Total: $22,795.90

polling $15,000.00Other filed descriptions $7,352.14texting $443.76

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 15, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101070155.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Frontera Texas PAC

$160,007.97

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $160,007.97
Total: $160,007.97

Other filed descriptions $73,500.00mail $40,000.00mailing $19,429.94texting $18,144.37digital $8,211.55printing $722.11

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 5, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 30, 2025 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101062168, 101070155, 101073001.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$120,875.00

Cash: $113,500.00
Paid by others: $7,375.00
Total: $120,875.00

polling $7,375.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989191, 101033369, 101062168, 101073001.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$22,795.90

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $22,795.90
Total: $22,795.90

polling $15,000.00Other filed descriptions $7,352.14texting $443.76

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 15, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101070155.

Votes2

House May 13, 2025

Yea: 118
Nay: 20
Present, not voting: 3
Absent: 5
Excused: 4

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2264

HB 170 was passed by (Record 2264): 118 Yeas, 20 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 118 (published)
Nay: 20 (published)
Present, not voting: 3 (published)
Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 12, 2025

Yea: 117
Nay: 20
Present, not voting: 3
Absent: 6
Excused: 4

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2192

CSHB 170 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2192): 117 Yeas, 20 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 117 (published)
Nay: 20 (published)
Present, not voting: 3 (published)
Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses18

For: 17
Against: 1
On: 0

Names

For

City of Fort Worth1 registration
Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP #391 registration
Self7 registrations
Self; DD 214 security services llc1 registration
Self; Gun Owners Of America1 registration
Self; South Texans’ Property Rights Association1 registration
Self; Texas Gun Rights1 registration
Self; True tx project1 registration
Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)1 registration
Texas State Rifle Association2 registrations

Against

Self1 registration

Sources

18 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version H · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version H · March 27, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version H by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024

05/14/2025 S Referred to State Affairs

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:38 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

Keith BellRHouse 4

Briscoe CainRHouse 128

Richard HayesRHouse 57

Hillary HicklandRHouse 55

Andy HopperRHouse 64

Carrie IsaacRHouse 73

Marc LaHoodRHouse 121

Terri Leo WilsonRHouse 23

Mitch LittleRHouse 65

John LujanRHouse 118

Shelley LutherRHouse 62

Will MetcalfRHouse 16

Mike OlcottRHouse 60

Angelia OrrRHouse 13

Jared PattersonRHouse 106

Katrina PiersonRHouse 33

Keresa RichardsonRHouse 61

Alan SchoolcraftRHouse 44

Joanne ShofnerRHouse 11

Shelby SlawsonRHouse 59

David SpillerRHouse 68

Tony TinderholtRHouse 94

Ellen TroxclairRHouse 19

Cody VasutRHouse 25

Terry M. WilsonRHouse 20

House committee · Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence · Committee vote 10 aye, 1 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee

Subjects

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

Crimes--Against Property

Criminal Procedure--General

ATTORNEY'S FEES

Text

The text as introduced · 258 words

89R150 MZM-F

By: Guillen
H.B. No. 170

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to civil liability arising out of justified uses of or

threats to use force or deadly force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 83.001, Civil Practice and Remedies

Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 83.001. CIVIL IMMUNITY. A defendant who uses or

threatens to use force or deadly force that is justified under

Chapter 9, Penal Code, is immune from civil liability for personal

injury or death that results from the defendant's use of or threat

to use force or deadly force, as applicable.

SECTION 2. Chapter 83, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is

amended by adding Section 83.002 to read as follows:

Sec. 83.002. ATTORNEY'S FEES; COSTS AND EXPENSES. A

defendant who is found to be immune from liability under Section

83.001 is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees, court

costs, lost income, and other expenses incurred by the defendant in

connection with the action.

SECTION 3. Section 9.06, Penal Code, is repealed.

SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of

this Act. A cause of action that accrues before the effective date

of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the cause of action

immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is

continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Frontera Texas PAC

Texas Sands PAC

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

Frontera Texas PAC

Texas Sands PAC

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

House May 13, 2025

House May 12, 2025

For

Against