HB 3757

relating to a writ to invoke the jurisdiction of a district court
for the purpose of obtaining relevant documents for a
postconviction application for a writ of habeas corpus.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 11, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 11.66 to read as follows:
Art. 11.66.  WRIT TO INVOKE DISTRICT COURT JURISDICTION FOR
PURPOSE OF OBTAINING RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FOR POSTCONVICTION WRIT OF
HABEAS CORPUS APPLICATION.  (a)  A person may file a writ under this
article in a district court for the purpose of invoking the court's
jurisdiction to obtain documents described by Subsection (b)(2)(B)
related to filing an application for a writ of habeas corpus under
(b)  A person may file a petition for a writ under this
(1)  the person is an attorney licensed in this state;
(2)  the person affirms in the petition that:
(A)  the person is seeking to file an application
for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of an applicant after a final
(B)  the person cannot in good faith file the
application until the person obtains documents relevant to a ground
for relief in the application; and
(3)  the person provides the office of the attorney
representing the state in the applicant's case with reasonable
notice of the person's intention to file a petition for a writ under
(c)  A district court's jurisdiction under this article is
limited only to matters relating to:
(1)  a petition for a writ under this article; and
(2)  the issuance of documents requested by the
petition for a writ under this article.
SECTION 2.  Section 24.011, Government Code, is amended to
Sec. 24.011.  WRIT POWER.  A judge of a district court may,
either in termtime or vacation, grant a writ [writs] of mandamus,
injunction, sequestration, attachment, garnishment, certiorari,
and supersedeas, a writ to issue documents under Article 11.66,
Code of Criminal Procedure, and any [all] other writ [writs]
necessary to the enforcement of the court's jurisdiction.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.