Monitoring the SessionSB 2047
Died in committee
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
relating to liability of judges and magistrates for the improper release on personal bond of defendants accused of committing certain felony offenses.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Magistrates too, but only for certain felony offenses.
Analysis prose withheld. The source quotes are shown with each finding.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R SB 1971 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 1971 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 7, 2025 and referred to the Senate Criminal Justice committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-SB2047 · 2025-03-07
relating to liability of judges and magistrates for the improper release on personal bond of defendants accused of committing certain felony offenses.
Magistrates too, but only for certain felony offenses.
Analysis prose withheld. The source quotes are shown with each finding.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
THE TEXT
“A judge or magistrate may not assert judicial immunity or other forms of immunity as a defense to an action brought under this section.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill creates a new lawsuit against judges and strips their immunity defense for releases on personal bond that break the bond rule.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors report through Friends of Paul Bettencourt.
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 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.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Sen. Bettencourt, same lead author · Died in committee · same text
Introduced textLast action, Mar 21, 2023: Referred to Criminal Justice
Relating to liability of judges and magistrates for the improper release on personal bond of defendants accused of committing certain felony offenses.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas Senate · Filed Mar 7, 2025
03/17/2025 S Referred to Criminal Justice
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Criminal Justice · Final status: Died in committee
Civil Remedies & Liabilities
Courts--Judges
Crime Victims Compensation
Criminal Procedure--Bail & Pretrial Release
CRIME VICTIMS
The text as introduced · 286 words
89R1974 MZM-D By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2047 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to liability of judges and magistrates for the improper release on personal bond of defendants accused of committing certain felony offenses. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 5, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Chapter 108A to read as follows: CHAPTER 108A. PUBLIC SERVANT LIABILITY Sec. 108A.001. LIABILITY OF JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE FOR IMPROPER RELEASE. (a) A victim of an offense that was committed by a person while the person was released on personal bond, or the victim's estate if the victim is deceased, may bring a cause of action against the judge or magistrate who released the person on personal bond for damages incurred as a result of the offense if: (1) the offense for which the person was released on personal bond is an offense involving violence, as defined by Article 17.03, Code of Criminal Procedure; and (2) the judge or magistrate released the defendant on personal bond in violation of Article 17.03(b-2), Code of Criminal Procedure. (b) The amount of damages awarded in an action brought under this section may not exceed $10 million. (c) A judge or magistrate may not assert judicial immunity or other forms of immunity as a defense to an action brought under this section. (d) Section 108.002 does not apply to an action brought under this section. SECTION 2. Section 108A.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this Act, applies only with respect to the release of a person on personal bond on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.