The Texas House on Tuesday voted down Senate Joint Resolution 87, a proposed constitutional amendment that would have automatically denied bail to repeat offenders.
The resolution fell short of the required 100 votes, largely due to opposition from Democratic lawmakers.
The measure, which had previously passed the Texas Senate, sought to deny bail to individuals accused of certain felony offenses if they were repeat offenders.
Republican sponsors argued the resolution would enhance public safety by preventing potentially dangerous individuals from being released while awaiting trial.
Republican lawmakers have pushed for stricter bail policies, citing concerns that the current system allows repeat offenders to commit additional crimes while out on bail.
Democratic opponents raised concerns about civil liberties, warning that automatic bail denial could result in prolonged pretrial detention for individuals not yet convicted.
The defeat of Senate Joint Resolution 87 comes amid ongoing debates over bail reform in Texas. Other related legislation, such as Senate Bill 40, which seeks to limit the use of public funds for bail, has advanced in the legislature.
