Heads up, court personnel: HB 2282 changes the warrant fee, but the increase doesn’t apply in every case starting September 1, 2025. The rules depend on both the date of offense and the timing of when the fee is assessed.
House Bill 2282 (89th Legislature) amends Article 102.011(a), Code of Criminal Procedure. It raises the reimbursement fee for executing or processing an arrest warrant, capias, or capias pro fine from $50 to $75. HB 2282 takes effect September 1, 2025.
Because this change involves court costs, its application depends on both the date of offense and the timing of assessment of the fee.
Key Points
- Offenses before September 1, 2025
- For offenses committed before 9/1/2025, the fee is permanently capped at $50, regardless of when the warrant or capias is issued, executed, or assessed.
- Offenses on or after September 1, 2025
- For offenses committed on or after 9/1/2025, the potential warrant or capias fee is $75.
- But under Government Code § 51.607, no new or amended court cost may be assessed until January 1, 2026.
- That means the $75 fee applies only when the fee is assessed on or after 1/1/2026.
- Assessment may occur at different points
- Most costs are assessed at the time of judgment. Fees are not assessed prior to judgment.
- Some costs, like the fee for executing a capias pro fine, are assessed after judgment when the service actually occurs.
- In both cases, the same effective-date rules apply:
- Offense on or after 9/1/2025, and
- Assessment of the fee (whether at judgment or later) on or after 1/1/2026.
Putting It Together
| Offense Date | Fee Assessed (time of judgment or later) | Result |
| Before Sept 1, 2025 | Any time | $50 |
| On or after Sept 1, 2025 | Fee assessed before Jan 1, 2026 | $50 |
| On or after Sept 1, 2025 | Fee assessed on/after Jan 1, 2026 | $75 |
Important Caveat
This analysis reflects the likely application of HB 2282 based on Article 102.011(a), C.C.P., and Government Code § 51.607. However, the Office of Court Administration (OCA) is responsible for publishing the official interpretation of cost changes in the Texas Register. Courts should look to OCA’s publication for the final word on implementation.
👉 Bottom line: Don’t assume the $75 fee applies automatically on September 1, 2025. The increase only takes effect when both the date of offense and the date of assessment of the fee meet the statutory requirements.
Full Court Press 