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      S.B. No. 1537         AN ACT   relating to the appointment of an interpreter in a criminal   proceeding.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Article 38.30(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)   In any criminal proceeding, when [ When ] a motion for   appointment of an interpreter is filed by any party or on motion of   the court and if the court determines [ , in any criminal proceeding,   it is determined ] that a person charged or a witness does not   understand and speak the English language, an interpreter must be   appointed as provided by Section 57.002, Government Code, and sworn   to interpret for the person charged or the witness. Subject to   Section 57.002, Government Code, any [ Any ] person may be   subpoenaed, attached , or recognized in any criminal action or   proceeding[ , ] to appear before the proper judge or court to act as   interpreter [ therein, ] under the same rules and penalties as are   provided for witnesses. In the event that the only available   interpreter is not considered to possess adequate interpreting   skills for the particular situation or the interpreter is not   familiar with use of slang, the person charged or witness may be   permitted by the court to nominate another person to act as   intermediary between the person charged or witness and the   appointed interpreter during the proceedings.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1537 passed the Senate on   April 10, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 3.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1537 passed the House on   May 20, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 105, Nays 39, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor