AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott applauded the Texas House on the passage of Senate Bill 9 and Senate Joint Resolution 5, writing on X, “Major bail reform passed the Texas House today with OVERWHELMING support. Incredible. These bills will reform Texas’ broken, deadly bail system & keep dangerous criminals behind bars—where they belong. Thanks Rep. Smithee for your hard work. One step closer to saving lives.”
“I can speak as a law enforcement officer about the frustration we feel when the hard work of our detective investigators to protect the public is diminished or outright jeopardized by our partners in the criminal court system, some of whom have inexplicably released violent criminals back into our streets,” said Rep. AJ Louderback, R-Victoria, during the SB 9 bill layout.
SB 9 and SJR 5 require mandatory bail denial for defendants who are charged with murder, aggravated kidnapping or aggravated sexual assault. Any order granting bail must be explained by the judge in writing and can be appealed by the prosecution. Democrats were successful in removing a provision that would have applied the bill only to jurisdictions with populations of at least 200,000.
“If we’re concerned about public safety. We should be concerned about rural communities that might have this issue as well,” said Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston.
Even though the bill and resolution received overwhelming support, it will still need to be approved by voters in November to be enacted — after the governor signs them into law.
State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, along with other senators appeared in the lower chamber to ensure her legislation passed, but the pressure wasn’t enough to get all three bail related bills passed.
“I’m voting no because the hypocrisy of it doesn’t withstand the smell test. If you’ve been found to have probable cause of continuous sexual assault of a child, you’re just as dangerous as the guy who is here illegally who did it. You want to get tough on crime, lets deny all of them bail. Vote no on this piece of crap,” said Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, when speaking against Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Eighty-eight members — all Republicans — supported SJR 1 to deny bail for undocumented people who are charged with certain violent offenses including murder, trafficking and burglary. But the proposal didn’t get the needed 100 votes to pass the constitutional amendment on to the final steps.
“Consider the rights of the innocent people who deserve to be protected from the senseless, senseless acts of violence. And I would ask you to vote, to vote yes. I actually, I’m begging you to vote,” said Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo.
The Texas Senate must approve the House’s changes for the bills to go to Abbott’s desk for a signature.
