Texas House Blocks Key Bail Reform Measures Targeting Immigrants, Repeat Violent Offenders

Key bail reform measures prioritized by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Senate Republicans failed to pass in the Texas House during the recent legislative session. Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would have denied bail to undocumented immigrants charged with felonies, passed the Senate but was blocked in the House, with Democrats citing concerns over due process, equal protection, and potential racial profiling. Senate Joint Resolution 87, targeting repeat offenders of violent crimes by requiring bail denial, narrowly missed the two-thirds majority needed for constitutional amendment approval. Opponents of these measures argued they undermine defendants' rights and liberty, while supporters emphasized public safety and protecting Texans from repeat violent offenders. These legislative setbacks leave open the possibility of a special session called by Gov. Abbott to address bail reform. Meanwhile, unrelated to bail reform, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 546, requiring school districts to report seat belt presence and costs on buses and eliminating exemptions for older buses, aiming to improve student transportation safety following a fatal bus crash.