Relating to the reimbursement of expenses to certain counsel appointed to represent a defendant in a criminal proceeding.

Texas Senate Bill 297 modifies reimbursement rules for appointed defense attorneys in noncapital criminal cases (excluding public defenders). It allows reimbursement for reasonable expenses like investigation costs, expert fees, and travel/lodging when a defendant is held more than 50 miles from court - covering both in-person meetings and remote communication costs. Reimbursement follows specific pathways: with court approval (matching capital case rules), or without approval (using separate capital case procedures). The bill applies only to expenses incurred on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date.