Take Action: Stop Harmful Bail Legislation in Texas

With Texas’s legislative session underway, two dangerous bills – SJR 5 and SB 9 – are moving through the Texas House of Representatives. These bills would expand the use of cash bail and pretrial detention, jailing more legally innocent people simply because they can’t afford to pay for their freedom. If passed, they will destabilize communities, increase costs for taxpayers, and make Texas less safe.

SJR 5 would make it easier to jail people before trial, even if they are not considered a danger to the community, just because a judge believes they might miss a court date. SB 9 would require judges to keep certain people in jail pretrial, regardless of their circumstances. Together, these bills would strip judges of discretion and force thousands more Texans into jail cells before they’ve had their day in court.

This is not justice – it’s a penalty for not having money.

Why This Matters to Texans

On any given day, over 53,000 people are locked up in Texas jails, most of them awaiting trial – not because they’ve been convicted of a crime, but because they can’t afford bail. Texas taxpayers already spend over $1 billion annually to detain legally innocent people. If SJR 5 and SB 9 pass, this number will increase.

For many, pretrial detention means losing everything. Marcella spent months in jail because she couldn’t afford bail, missing precious time with her family. Hervis, a grandfather who worked two jobs, made national headlines after waiting seven hours to vote – only to be arrested and jailed on a $100,000 bail for a mistake he didn’t even know he made. If these bills pass, more Texans – workers, parents, veterans, and caregivers – will lose their jobs, homes, and even custody of their children, all because they don’t have enough money to buy their freedom.

But there’s still time to stop these bills – if we act now.

Your Voice Will Make a Difference

Texas legislators have their jobs because of your vote, which means your voice matters. Lawmakers pay attention when they hear directly from their constituents.

In 2021, a controversial bail bill faced intense public opposition, which led to delays and some positive revisions before it was ultimately passed. While the law still ultimately imposed harmful restrictions, public outcry forced lawmakers to reconsider and adjust parts of the proposal – proving that when Texans speak up, lawmakers listen.

Now, we need to do it again. These bills could move forward at any moment – the time to act is now.

How to Take Action

It only takes three minutes to make a difference. Here’s how:

1. Find Your Texas House Representative
   Visit the Texas Tribune’s directory and enter your address to find out who represents you in the Texas House.
2. Call or Email Your Representative
   Use this message to tell them to vote NO on SJR 5 and SB 9 unless meaningful changes are made:
   My name is [Your Name] from [City or District]. I care deeply about public safety and fairness. SJR 5 and SB 9 will jail more legally innocent people, increase costs for taxpayers, and make our communities less safe. These bills allow wealth to determine freedom, not justice. As your constituent, I’m urging you to vote NO on these bills unless real changes are made to protect our safety and rights.
3. Amplify on Social Media
   Share your opposition using these sample posts. Tag your representative and use these hashtags:
   • #texaslege @[legislator handle] Texans deserve real bail reform, not more people in jail. Vote NO on #SJR5 and #SB9
   • #texaslege @[legislator handle] Protect our communities. Vote NO on #SJR5 and #SB9
4. Talk to Your Community
   Change happens when people speak up. Share this information with your friends, family, and neighbors, and encourage them to contact their representatives about the need for real bail reform in Texas.

The Time to Act Is Now

If these bills pass, more Texans will be jailed pretrial, losing their jobs, homes, and families – not because they’re guilty, but because they can’t afford bail. Meanwhile, taxpayers will foot the bill for a system that prioritizes wealth over justice.

Texas deserves better. You can help stop these harmful bills – but we must act fast. Call or email your Texas House representative today and demand a NO vote on SJR 5 and SB 9 unless real changes are made.