Monitoring the Session

HB 1871

bill raising punishment for attempted capital murder of peace officers

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Paul DysonRHouse 14

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty; changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

First-degree felony, 25 to 99 years or life. No parole.

The bill raises the punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer to a first-degree felony carrying 25 to 99 years or life in prison. It touches people convicted of trying to kill a peace officer, because they could no longer get parole or be released to mandatory supervision. Instead of being punished one step below capital murder, these offenses get a 25-year minimum and no early release, starting with offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB1871 · 2025-01-15

SOLD BY

+ 2 more authors, 4 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty; changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision.

WHAT IT DOES

First-degree felony, 25 to 99 years or life. No parole.

The bill raises the punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer to a first-degree felony carrying 25 to 99 years or life in prison. It touches people convicted of trying to kill a peace officer, because they could no longer get parole or be released to mandatory supervision. Instead of being punished one step below capital murder, these offenses get a 25-year minimum and no early release, starting with offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 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

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
  4. Referred directly to subcommittee by chair
  5. Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
  6. Considered by s/c in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
  8. Left pending in subcommittee
  9. Recalled from subcommittee
  10. Considered in public hearing
  11. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  12. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  13. Committee report distributed
  14. Committee report sent to Calendars
  15. Considered in Calendars
  16. Placed on General State Calendar
  17. Read 2nd time
  18. Passed to engrossment
  19. Record vote RV#1509
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#1586
  24. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  25. Reported engrossed
  26. Received from the House
  27. Read first time
  28. Referred to Criminal Justice
  29. Posting rule suspended
  30. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Testimony taken in committee
  33. Vote taken in committee
  34. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  35. Committee report printed and distributed
  36. Co-sponsor authorized
  37. Placed on intent calendar
  38. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  39. Record vote
  40. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  41. Record vote
  42. Three day rule suspended
  43. Record vote
  44. Read 3rd time
  45. Passed
  46. Record vote
  47. Senate passage reported
  48. Reported enrolled
  49. Signed in the House
  50. Signed in the Senate
  51. Sent to the Governor
  52. Signed by the Governor
  53. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 108 yea · 35 nay

Senate · 27 yea · 4 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 7, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 27, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Donors

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 · Oct 28, 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$340,207.92

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$340,207.92

Cash
$50,000.00
Paid by others
$290,207.92
Total
$340,207.92
advertising $183,880.00digital $90,527.92polling $15,800.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 14, 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: 101010767, 101033320, 101069287, 101072136.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$160,800.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$160,800.00

Cash
$45,000.00
Paid by others
$115,800.00
Total
$160,800.00
canvassing $100,000.00polling $15,800.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Aug 18, 2026 to Oct 23, 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: 101069287, 101072136.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$62,419.26

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$62,419.26

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$62,419.26
Total
$62,419.26
mailers $43,779.93Other filed descriptions $7,339.33polling $5,800.00digital $5,500.00

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 · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 19, 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: 101010767, 101069287, 101072136.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$340,207.92

Cash
$50,000.00
Paid by others
$290,207.92
Total
$340,207.92
advertising $183,880.00digital $90,527.92polling $15,800.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 14, 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: 101010767, 101033320, 101069287, 101072136.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$160,800.00

Cash
$45,000.00
Paid by others
$115,800.00
Total
$160,800.00
canvassing $100,000.00polling $15,800.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Aug 18, 2026 to Oct 23, 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: 101069287, 101072136.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$62,419.26

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$62,419.26
Total
$62,419.26
mailers $43,779.93Other filed descriptions $7,339.33polling $5,800.00digital $5,500.00

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 · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 19, 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: 101010767, 101069287, 101072136.

Votes6

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Schwertner moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 1871 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
27
Nay
4
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

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

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Schwertner moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 1871 at this time on its second reading: HB 1871, Relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty; changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

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

  • Yea: 27 (published)
  • Nay: 4 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House May 7, 2025

Yea
108
Nay
35
Present, not voting
3
Absent
4
Excused
0
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1586

HB 1871 was passed by (Record 1586): 108 Yeas, 35 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 108 (published)
  • Nay: 35 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House May 6, 2025

Yea
109
Nay
25
Present, not voting
3
Absent
11
Excused
2
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1509

HB 1871 was passed to engrossment by (Record 1509): 109 Yeas, 25 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 109 (published)
  • Nay: 25 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 11 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses27
For
25
Against
2
On
0
Names

For

  • 81st Judicial District Attorney1 registration
  • College Station Police Department1 registration
  • Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)1 registration
  • Dallas Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot1 registration
  • Dallas Police Association1 registration
  • DPS Officers Association (DPSOA)1 registration
  • Galveston County Criminal District Attorney1 registration
  • Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP #391 registration
  • Phil Sorrells - Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney2 registrations
  • San Antonio police officers Association1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; 106th Judicial District Attorney2 registrations
  • Self; Brazos County District Attorney Office1 registration
  • Self; Brazos County District Attorneys Office1 registration
  • Self; Brazos county sheriffs office1 registration
  • Self; Chambers County District Attorney’s Office1 registration
  • Self; Comal County Criminal District Attorney1 registration
  • Self; Coryell Co District Attorney1 registration
  • Self; Houston Police Officers’ Union1 registration
  • Self; Sheriffs Association of Texas1 registration
  • Sheriffs Association1 registration
  • Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)1 registration
  • Texas Police Chiefs Association1 registration

Against

  • Self; Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association1 registration
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers1 registration
Sources

27 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.

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

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 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 I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Jan 15, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 6:51 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Sponsors
Cosponsors

House committee · Criminal Jurisprudence · Committee vote 7 aye, 1 nay, 3 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Criminal Justice · Committee vote 6 aye, 1 nay · Out of committee

Companion

SB 1272 by Schwertner (identical)

Subjects

Crimes--Capital Punishment

Criminal Procedure--Sentencing & Punishment

Law Enforcement

Text

The text as introduced · 811 words

89R8815 JRR-F

By: Dyson
H.B. No. 1871

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted

capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty;

changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision.

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

SECTION 1. Section 15.01, Penal Code, is amended by

amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read as

follows:

(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an [ An ] offense

under this section is one category lower than the offense

attempted, and if the offense attempted is a state jail felony, the

offense is a Class A misdemeanor.

(e) If the offense attempted is capital murder of a peace

officer under Section 19.03(a)(1), the offense is a felony of the

first degree, punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of

Criminal Justice for life or for any term of not more than 99 years

or less than 25 years.

SECTION 2. Section 508.145(a), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a) An inmate is not eligible for release on parole if the

inmate is under sentence of death, serving a sentence of life

imprisonment without parole, or serving a sentence for any of the

following offenses under the Penal Code:

(1) Section 15.01, if the offense is punishable under

Subsection (e) of that section;

(2) Section 20A.03, if the offense is based partly or

wholly on conduct constituting an offense under Section

20A.02(a)(5), (6), (7), or (8);

(3) [ (2) ] Section 21.02;

(4) [ (3) ] Section 22.021, if the offense is punishable

under Subsection (f) of that section; or

(5) [ (4) ] Section 51.03 or 51.04.

SECTION 3. Section 508.145(d)(1), Government Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(d)(1) This subsection applies only to an inmate who is

serving a sentence for:

(A) an offense described by Article 42A.054(a),

Code of Criminal Procedure, other than an offense under Section

19.03, Penal Code, or an offense under Chapter 20A, Penal Code, that

is described by Subsection (a)(2) [ (a)(1) ] or (c-1)(1);

(B) an offense for which the judgment contains an

affirmative finding under Article 42A.054(c) or (d), Code of

Criminal Procedure; or

(C) an offense under Section 71.02 or 71.023,

Penal Code.

SECTION 4. Section 508.149(a), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a) An inmate may not be released to mandatory supervision

if the inmate is serving a sentence for or has been previously

convicted of:

(1) an offense for which the judgment contains an

affirmative finding under Article 42A.054(c) or (d), Code of

Criminal Procedure;

(2) a first degree felony or a second degree felony

under Section 19.02, Penal Code;

(3) a capital felony under Section 19.03, Penal Code;

(4) a first degree felony or a second degree felony

under Section 20.04, Penal Code;

(5) an offense under Section 21.11, Penal Code;

(6) a felony under Section 22.011, Penal Code;

(7) a first degree felony or a second degree felony

under Section 22.02, Penal Code;

(8) a first degree felony under Section 22.021, Penal

Code;

(9) a first degree felony under Section 22.04, Penal

Code;

(10) a first degree felony under Section 28.02, Penal

Code;

(11) a second degree felony under Section 29.02, Penal

Code;

(12) a first degree felony under Section 29.03, Penal

Code;

(13) a first degree felony under Section 30.02, Penal

Code;

(14) a felony for which the punishment is increased

under Section 481.134 or 481.140, Health and Safety Code;

(15) an offense under Section 43.25, Penal Code;

(16) an offense under Section 21.02, Penal Code;

(17) a first degree felony under Section 15.03, Penal

Code;

(18) an offense under Section 43.05, Penal Code;

(19) an offense under Section 20A.02, Penal Code;

(20) an offense under Section 20A.03, Penal Code;

(21) a first degree felony under Section 71.02 or

71.023, Penal Code;

(22) an offense under Section 481.1123, Health and

Safety Code, punished under Subsection (d), (e), or (f) of that

section;

(23) a second degree felony under Section 22.01, Penal

Code; [ or ]

(24) an offense under Section 22.01, Penal Code,

punished under Subsection (b)(2), (7), or (8) of that section ; or

(25) an offense under Section 15.01, Penal Code,

punished under Subsection (e) of that section .

SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.

An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is

governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,

and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For

purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the

effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was

committed before that date.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.