HB 160 — A defendant's appearance by telephone or videoconference
This bill covers a defendant's appearance by telephone or videoconference in a justice or municipal court.
This bill covers a defendant's appearance by telephone or videoconference in a justice or municipal court.
Author: Garcia, Linda. Filed: 11/09/2026 (H Filed). Caption: “Relating to a defendant's appearance by telephone or videoconference in a justice or municipal court.”
Subjects: Courts--Administration (I0130), Courts--Judges (I0140), TELECONFERENCING (S0039), VIDEOCONFERENCING (S0216). Council document: see the Legislature history page.
Full bill text (Introduced)
Official text from the Texas Legislature. Bill history for HB 160 · Bill text (HTML).
90R465 MEW-F By: Garcia of Dallas H.B. No. 160 relating to a defendant's appearance by telephone or videoconference in a justice or municipal court.
SECTION 1. Article 45A.260, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows: Art. 45A.260. APPEARANCE BY TELEPHONE OR VIDEOCONFERENCE. If the justice or judge determines that requiring a defendant to appear before the justice or judge in person for a hearing [ under Article 45A.258 or 45A.259 ] would impose an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge may allow the defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference.
SECTION 2. Article 45A.260, Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended by this Act, applies to a proceeding that commences before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.
Sources: Texas Legislature, Today's Filed Bills in the House (11/09/2026), HB 160; 90th Legislature BillLookup history and Introduced bill text.