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TX HJR15
TX HJR15Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail under limited circumstances to a person accused of certain violent or sexual offenses or of continuous trafficking of persons.
summary
Introduced
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Introduced Session
89th Legislature Regular Session
Bill Summary
A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail under limited circumstances to a person accused of certain violent or sexual offenses or of continuous trafficking of persons.
AI Summary
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow judges or magistrates to deny bail to individuals accused of specific serious crimes under certain limited circumstances. Specifically, for individuals charged with first-degree sexual offenses, violent offenses, or continuous human trafficking, a judge can deny bail if they determine by "clear and convincing evidence" that release would not sufficiently ensure the defendant's court appearance or community safety. The amendment requires that any bail denial be accompanied by a written order explaining the specific reasons for the denial. The resolution maintains that defendants still retain their existing legal rights to contest bail decisions, and judges must consider standard bail-setting factors when making their determination. The proposed amendment defines the specific offense categories by referencing existing legal definitions and will be submitted to voters for approval in a November 4, 2025 election. The ballot language will directly ask voters whether they support authorizing bail denial under these limited circumstances for serious criminal allegations.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (65)
John Smithee (R)*,
Daniel Alders (R),
Cecil Bell (R),
Keith Bell (R),
Greg Bonnen (R),
Brad Buckley (R),
Ben Bumgarner (R),
Briscoe Cain (R),
Giovanni Capriglione (R),
David Cook (R),
Charles Cunningham (R),
Pat Curry (R),
Drew Darby (R),
Mano DeAyala (R),
Paul Dyson (R),
Caroline Fairly (R),
James Frank (R),
Gary Gates (R),
Stan Gerdes (R),
Ryan Guillen (R),
Sam Harless (R),
Cody Harris (R),
Caroline Harris Davila (R),
Richard Hayes (R),
Cole Hefner (R),
Hillary Hickland (R),
Andy Hopper (R),
Lacey Hull (R),
Carrie Isaac (R),
Helen Kerwin (R),
Stan Kitzman (R),
Marc LaHood (R),
Stan Lambert (R),
Terri Leo-Wilson (R),
Mitch Little (R),
A.J. Louderback (R),
David Lowe (R),
J.M. Lozano (R),
John Lujan (R),
Shelley Luther (R),
Don McLaughlin (R),
John McQueeney (R),
Will Metcalf (R),
Morgan Meyer (R),
Brent Money (R),
Matt Morgan (R),
Candy Noble (R),
Mike Olcott (R),
Tom Oliverson (R),
Jared Patterson (R),
Dennis Paul (R),
Katrina Pierson (R),
Keresa Richardson (R),
Nate Schatzline (R),
Alan Schoolcraft (R),
Matt Shaheen (R),
Joanne Shofner (R),
Shelby Slawson (R),
David Spiller (R),
Steve Toth (R),
Ellen Troxclair (R),
Cody Vasut (R),
Denise Villalobos (R),
Wesley Virdell (R),
Trey Wharton (R),
Last Action
Left pending in committee (on 03/18/2025)
Official Document
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HJR15 |
| Fiscal Note (Introduced) | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/fiscalnotes/html/HJ00015I.htm |
| BillText | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HJ00015I.htm |
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