Abbott to sign bail reform package in Houston
HOUSTON (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott will sign a bail reform bill in Houston Tuesday, according to a news release from Abbott’s office.
The signing is expected to begin at 2 p.m. at Crime Stoppers of Houston, with several state officials attending, the release said. Joining Abbott during the conference will be Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, state Sen. Joan Huffman, state Rep. John Smithee, Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Mankarious, Crime Stoppers of Houston Director of Victim Services and Advocacy Andy Kahan and others.
Although the Texas House overwhelmingly voted to support bail reform, the chamber did not pass a proposed element that would have automatically denied bail for people who were illegally in the country and charged with certain felonies.
The House voted 122-20 to advance an amended version of Senate Bill 9, which encompasses bail reducing personal bond options. It requires judges to review appointed magistrates bond amounts, as well as allows prosecutors to protest bond decisions.
Then, the House voted 133-8 advance an amended version of Senate Joint Resolution 5, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring judges to deny bail for certain felony charges if judges feel the accused is either a flight risk or a threat to the community.
Last, the House voted 88-50 to advance an amended version of Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would deny bail for those accused for “illegal aliens” charged with certain felonies. However, the resolution fell 13 votes shy of the 100 votes needed to pass the Texas House.
SJR 1, also known as ‘Jocelyn’s Law,” is named after 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston. She was allegedly killed by a pair of men illegally in the country last year.
