Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances for illegal aliens charged with certain offenses punishable as a felony.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)
Bill status
failed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 6, 2025
Last action May 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
3 edits
·
Feb 19, 2025
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted from a draft introduction version to a final engrossed version with proper legislative formatting, but the substantive policy content remains unchanged. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would require denial of bail for illegal aliens charged with felonies.
TECHNICAL
Formatting and layout changed from draft introduction format to final engrossed version with proper spacing, line numbers, and official legislative structure
Added bill title 'Jocelyn's Law' and proper byline formatting with sponsor information
Removed draft markings and placeholder text including 'AA' annotations and line number references from the original draft
Floor votes · House May 28, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
67
Key actions
13
Committee
10
Amendments
7
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Point of order sustained (amendment)
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
lower
May 28, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (87-37-21)
house
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 19, 2025
Amended
Amendment withdrawn
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 19, 2025
Introduced
Placed on Constitutional Amendments Calendar
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendment(s) considered in committee
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
5 primary · 70 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
A.J. Louderback
RRepublican
P
Joan Huffman
RRepublican
P
John Smithee
RRepublican
P
Mano DeAyala
RRepublican
P
Mitch Little
RRepublican
Co
Alan Schoolcraft
RRepublican
Co
Andy Hopper
RRepublican
Co
Angela Paxton
RRepublican
Co
Ben Bumgarner
RRepublican
Co
Bob Hall
RRepublican
Co
Brad Buckley
RRepublican
Co
Brandon Creighton
RRepublican
Co
Brent Hagenbuch
RRepublican
Co
Brent Money
RRepublican
Co
Brian Birdwell
RRepublican
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