Abbott signs series of bail reforms

The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas (SAT) was honored to join Governor Greg Abbott (R), Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R), and Senator Joan Huffman (R-SD 17) and a bipartisan group of legislators at Crime Stoppers of Houston for the signing of Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 40, and Senate Joint Resolution 5.

These pieces of legislation are key elements to Governor Abbott’s and Senator Huffman’s “Bail Reform” package of bills, with the focus of keeping violent offenders behind bars and out of our communities.

“This session we confronted a crisis, a revolving door bail system that repeatedly released dangers criminals back on to the streets,” Governor Abbott said. “Hundreds of Texans had been murdered who were released on easy bail. That’s why I made Bail Reform an emergency item this session.”

Emergency legislative items are special topics that the Governor can ‘fast track’ through the legislative process, removing some of the constitutional deadlines required of other non-emergency legislation. The bail reform bills that the Governor signed into law today were: Senate Bill 9 reforms the pretrial and bail system in Texas by enhancing reporting requirements, regulating bail decisions, and increasing oversight of charitable bail organizations, Senate Bill 40 prohibits political subdivisions in Texas from using public funds to pay nonprofit organizations that use public donations to post bail bonds for defendants, and Senate Joint Resolution 5 is a constitutional amendment to require denial of bail for persons accused of certain serious felony offenses unless the state demonstrates by evidence that bail is sufficient to prevent willful court nonappearance or ensure community safety.

“My prayer is what we have managed to accomplish does give these victims and their families some measure of peace and belief that the system is working for them and listening to them,” Sentor Huffman said. “It is the honor of my life and so humbling to be in a position where I can be a voice for [victims].”

Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, Legislative Chairman of SAT, congratulated the members of the legislature for their efforts to pass these bills.

“The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas cannot thank Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, and Senator Huffman for focusing on the real issues that directly impact the safety of our citizens all across Texas,” Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said. “These Bail Reform measures should serve as a national model for other states to follow.”

Two additional bail reform bills, Senate Joint Resolution 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 87 failed to receive the required two-thirds majority vote required for constitutional amendments. Lieutenant Governor Patrick also spoke at the conference and declared those joint resolutions will return in the 90th Regular Legislative Session beginning in January 2027, or possibly before in a Special Session should Governor Abbott call the legislature back to Austin.

Since 1836, the Sheriff has served as conservator of the peace, enforces the criminal laws of the State, and is responsible for the county jail, bail bonds, civil process, and security of the courts. T he Sheriffs’ Association of Texas is one of the oldest law enforcement associations in the nation, meeting for the first time on August 14, 1874, in the courthouse in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas. Through the support of all of our Members, SAT provides training, legal assistance, and other critical resources to Peace Officers across Texas.

Membership dues also allow SAT to honor Fallen Officers with our Lost Lawman Memorial and offer scholarships to the children of Peace Officers and to those officers who wish to continue their education. SAT is a 501(c)3.

For any media inquiries, please contact Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, SAT’s Legislative Chairman at (281) 924-7293.