A measure aimed at tightening restrictions on bail will appear on Texas voters’ ballots in November. Senate Joint Resolution 5 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to require judges to deny bail for certain felony offenses, keeping more defendants in jail as they await trial.

The proposal passed the Texas House and Senate with bipartisan support during the regular legislative session, which ended June 2. Gov. Greg Abbott, who had prioritized tightening bail laws for three straight sessions , signed SJR 5 into law June 3.

Abbott also signed Senate Bill 9 , which expands a list of offenses for which defendants cannot be released on low-cost bonds, and Senate Bill 40 , which prohibits local governments from giving public money to nonprofits that help cover bail costs. Those

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