Fort Worth Democrat locked in Texas Capitol asks judge to intervene
Rep. Nicole Collier is asking a Travis County district judge to rule that she’s allowed to leave the Texas Capitol.
The Fort Worth Democrat has been confined to Texas Capitol since Monday after refusing to sign a “permission slip” turning her over to Texas Department of Public Safety custody for monitoring.
Collier was among the at least 51 House Democrats who broke quorum to block a mid-decade congressional redistricting bill that positions Republicans to pick up five seats in Congress.
The break lasted about two weeks, with the first-called special session ending early on Friday. A second special session began later that day.
The majority of the House Democrats returned to the Capitol on Monday and were permitted to leave only if they agreed in writing to a DPS escort until the House next convenes at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Lawmakers are expected debate a proposed congressional map when they return that day.
In a petition filed with the 459th District Court late Monday afternoon, attorneys for Collier request that the House Sergeant-at-Arms “immediately release” Collier and be barred from “restraining her” in any way, unless she’s “physically absent from the current legislative session.”
The attorneys argue that Collier is being confined illegally, citing legal opinions and a portion of the Texas Constitution dealing with “compelling attendance” in the House to meet a quorum.
There are 150 members of the Texas House but 100 — a quorum — must be present to conduct business.
“If the legislature is in session on Wednesday and Representative Collier is not physically present in session, the Sergeant-at-Arms is permitted to compel her attendance pursuant to article III, section 10, of the Texas Constitution and In re Abbott,” the court filing reads. “However, unless she is physically absent, the Legislature is without authority to detain her or compel her attendance.”
Collier previously told the Star-Telegram in a text message that she had planned to return to the House on Wednesday when the House meets.
Collier, who is an attorney, did not immediately return a text seeking comment on the court filing. Her attorneys David Minton and David Gonzalez did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
In a statement on Tuesday, House Speaker Dustin Burrows said Collier’s “choice to stay and not sign the permission slip is well within her rights under the House Rules.”
“I am choosing to spend my time focused on moving the important legislation on the call to overhaul camp safety, provide property tax reform and eliminate the STAAR test — the results Texans care about,” Burrows said.
A spokesperson did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the court filing.
Collier spent Monday night in the House chamber. In an interview, she said she’s permitted on the House floor and in her office, with a DPS escort.
The House Democratic Caucus announced Tuesday afternoon that several Democratic House members are tearing up their “permission slips” and joining her in the chamber in solidarity.
This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM.
