A bipartisan majority of the Texas Senate approved three bills on Feb. 19 that would allow judges to deny bail to defendants accused of murder, a felony sex crime, aggravated assault, or robbery or kidnapping. A fourth bill passed from the chamber on Feb. 20.

If approved by both chambers of Congress in a two-thirds vote, Texas voters may see these bail reform measures on the November ballot.

“We need to remember that our first and foremost duty as legislators is looking out for the safety and well-being of the citizens of Texas,” former Harris County prosecutor Huffman said on the Senate floor Feb. 19.

Governor Greg Abbott declared tightening bail policies an emergency priority during his Feb. 2 State of the State address, allowing lawmakers to expedite this legislation. 

“There are many alleged murderers out on the street in Harris County and in the state of Texas,” Huffman said when she presented the bill on the Senate floor. “Members, this is just unacceptable in our state.”

Senate lawmakers such as Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick believe the bill is necessary to prevent violent offenders from committing additional crimes when released from jail.

“We sent a clear message to the House members that we are tired of seeing people die,” Patrick said before calling for a vote on Senator Joint Resolution 5. “We are going to fight for this bill because we are fighting for the families.”