SB1506

Before this act, the longer one-to-five-year scheduling window applied to a specified group of offenses; inmates outside that group were to be reconsidered as soon as practicable after the first anniversary of denial. SB1506 makes the longer window the general rule. The parole panel that denied release designates the month, within the applicable statutory limits. It does not require the panel to choose the latest possible date for everyone. Final law, section 1, including the displayed prior wording.

A specific exception requires reconsideration as soon as practicable after the first anniversary for an inmate serving a sentence under Health and Safety Code section 481.115 involving a Penalty Group 1 substance, or under sections 481.1151, 481.116, 481.1161, 481.117, 481.118 or 481.121. These are specified possession offenses, not a general exception for every drug offense. The Penalty Group 1 limitation on section 481.115 is part of the final law. Final law, Government Code section 508.141(g-1)(2).

For an inmate serving a sentence under Penal Code section 22.021, concerning aggravated sexual assault, or a life sentence for a capital felony, the designated month must still begin after the first anniversary and end before the tenth anniversary of denial. This scheduling provision does not make someone eligible for parole who is otherwise ineligible. Final law, section 508.141(g-1)(3); Criminal-justice impact statement.

The new rules apply to inmates confined in a facility operated by, or under contract with, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on or after September 1, 2025, regardless of when their offense occurred. The board must adopt a consistent policy as soon as practicable after that date. The act itself does not establish which date the board selected for any particular inmate. Final law, sections 2–3.

Amendments and final compromise. The introduced bill extended the general scheduling window without the final drug-possession exception. The Senate committee version added the express applicability rule covering inmates confined on or after the effective date, including earlier offenses; the Senate-passed and House committee versions retained that approach. The adopted House amendment added the specified drug-possession exception without limiting section 481.115 to Penalty Group 1. Conference retained the exception but added that limitation, which appears in the enrolled law. Both chambers adopted the conference report. Introduced bill; Senate committee text; House amendment; Versions and conference record; Amendment index; Final law.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

Some inmates and their families may wait longer for a further chance at release. The board gains discretion to schedule less frequent reviews within the statutory limits, but reconsideration and release remain separate decisions. The act does not lengthen the sentence imposed by the court, guarantee release at the next review or establish that every eligible inmate will receive a longer interval. Final law; Criminal-justice analysis.

The final fiscal and criminal-justice analyses cannot determine the state impact because they do not know how often the board will use longer intervals. Longer stays could increase demands on state correctional resources; no significant local-government fiscal effect is anticipated. The criminal-justice statement reports 42,759 incarcerated people awaiting another parole review at the close of fiscal 2024. That is a historical count—not a forecast that all 42,759 will be delayed by this law. Final fiscal note; Criminal-justice impact statement.