Wesley Virdell, Texas State Representative of the 53rd district (R) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Virdell
Wesley Virdell, Texas State Representative of the 53rd district (R) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Virdell
More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’Relating to the role of a jury in a criminal case’’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure in Texas to clarify and expand the role of juries in criminal cases. It allows juries to be the exclusive judge of the facts but provides them the discretion not to apply the law if they deem it unjust or unfairly applied, potentially allowing for a verdict of not guilty or a lesser charge. It also grants defendants the right to inform the jury of this power and ensures they can present evidence on various aspects, such as the merit or intent of the law and the defendant's motives, without state interference. The bill sets new rules for jury selection, preventing disqualification due to a juror's willingness to exercise their judgment. These changes apply to juries empaneled from Sept. 1, 2025.
Wesley Virdell, member of the House Committee on Land & Resource Management, proposed another 25 bills during the 89(R) legislative session.
Wesley Virdell is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state's 53rd House district. He replaced previous state representative Andrew Murr in 2025.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB 2658 | 03/31/2025 | Relating to the Kimble County Hospital District of Kimble County, Texas |
| HB 3956 | 03/27/2025 | Relating to a parent-directed supplemental services and instructional materials program for public school students; authorizing a fee |
| HB 3938 | 03/27/2025 | Relating to the formation of a public education scholarship program |
| HB 3930 | 03/27/2025 | Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land on the basis of its use for raising or keeping exotic animals |
| HB 3763 | 03/26/2025 | Relating to certain audits of employers conducted by the Texas Workforce Commission |
| HB 3176 | 03/20/2025 | Relating to the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products developed using mRNA material in the prevention or treatment of a communicable disease |
| HB 3175 | 03/20/2025 | Relating to a statewide order issued by the commissioner of state health services authorizing a pharmacist to dispense ivermectin |
| HB 3056 | 03/20/2025 | Relating to municipal and county regulation of certain wind and solar power facilities |
| HB 3055 | 03/20/2025 | Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to acquire real property |
| HB 2774 | 03/19/2025 | Relating to the authority of the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District to regulate structures near Medina Lake |
| HB 2759 | 03/19/2025 | Relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain felony offenses |
| HB 2656 | 03/18/2025 | Relating to motor vehicle stops by a peace officer operating an unmarked law enforcement motor vehicle |
| HB 1923 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to removing the requirement that an applicant for or holder of a license to carry a handgun provide fingerprints |
| HB 1921 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the operation of certain off-highway vehicles on certain roadways |
| HB 1864 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to an exemption from the use tax imposed on certain motor vehicles brought into this state by new Texas residents |
| HB 1386 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to license plates issued for and displayed on passenger cars and light trucks |
| HB 1385 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the labeling of beef and beef products; providing a civil penalty |
| HB 1384 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the enforcement of certain standards for commercial motor vehicles |
| HB 1381 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to contracts with and the acceptance of money from certain foreign entities by public institutions of higher education |
| HB 1380 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to license plates issued for and displayed on passenger cars and light trucks |
| HB 1379 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the authority of a game warden or other peace officer commissioned by the Parks and Wildlife Department to enter private property |
| HB 1378 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to municipal and county regulation of certain electric energy storage |
| HB 1377 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the jurisdiction of certain international organizations |
| HB 1376 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the authority of the public safety director of the Department of Public Safety to adopt rules requiring the use and installation of intrastate commercial motor vehicle electronic logging devices |
| HB 1374 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the labeling of beef, pork, beef products, and pork products; providing a civil penalty |
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