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  89R15395 CJD-D     By: Hopper H.B. No. 4714       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the testing of evidence for controlled substances by   the Department of Public Safety.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter G-2 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER G-2.   EVIDENCE TESTING FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES           Sec.   411.166.     DEFINITION.   In this subchapter, "controlled   substance"   has the meaning assigned by Section 481.002, Health and   Safety Code.           Sec.   411.167.     TESTING REQUIRED.   (a)   The department shall   test evidence that may contain a controlled substance that is   submitted to the department by an attorney representing the state   in connection with a criminal action to be tested by the   department's laboratory using validated laboratory procedures and   sampling protocols to determine whether the substance is a   controlled substance.           (b)     The department shall conduct the testing described by   Subsection (a) regardless of:                 (1)     the amount of the evidence suspected to contain a   controlled substance seized in connection with the offense that is   the subject of the criminal action; or                 (2)     the category of offense with which the defendant   in the criminal action is charged or may be charged.           Sec.   411.168.     FAILURE TO TEST; REIMBURSEMENT OF ATTORNEY   REPRESENTING THE STATE.   If the testing required under this   subchapter is not completed before the 180th day after the date the   department received the evidence to be tested, the department   shall:                 (1)     return the evidence submitted for testing to the   appropriate attorney representing the state; and                 (2)     reimburse the attorney representing the state for   the cost of having the evidence tested by an independent   laboratory.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to evidence submitted to the Department of Public Safety on or after   the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.