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SB 2320 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to increasing the criminal punishment for certain driving while intoxicated offenses.

This bill (SB 2320) increases penalties for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses in Texas. It raises the minimum jail time for DWIs involving an open alcohol container to six days and elevates DWIs with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or higher to a state jail felony. For repeat offenders (those with one prior DWI conviction), it mandates a minimum 30-day jail term for second offenses under certain sections of the law. The changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.
Issues: ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory jail terms and elevates penalties for DWIs, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentences.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases DWI penalties to enhance road safety, directly strengthening transportation safety regulations under vehicle traffic policies.92% confidence
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 11, 2025 Last action May 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Apr 9, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends Texas Penal Code sections related to driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses to adjust criminal penalties based on specific circumstances. The changes increase minimum jail time for repeat offenders and modify felony classifications for high blood alcohol concentration cases. These updates aim to strengthen penalties for serious DWI violations while clarifying sentencing guidelines.
Scope change
The bill applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change the geographic or jurisdictional scope of the law.
ENFORCEMENT

Increased minimum confinement from 72 hours to 30 days for repeat DWI offenders under certain conditions

Changed felony classification from state jail felony to Class A misdemeanor for blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher

Adjusted minimum confinement from six days to 30 days for DWI cases involving open alcohol containers

TIMELINE

Established September 1, 2025 as the effective date for all new provisions

Floor votes · Senate Apr 9, 2025

How they voted

27–2
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Apr 9, 2025
D Democratic10
8 Yea 2 Nay
80% Yea
R Republican20
19 Yea 1
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
33
Key actions
9
Committee
12
May 22, 2025
Committee
Failed to receive affirmative vote in comm.
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recalled from subcommittee
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in subcommittee
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
lower
May 1, 2025
Committee
Referred directly to subcommittee by chair
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.