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House sets 10% minimum bond in criminal cases; bill clears after previous‑question votes
Summary
Senate Bill 464, setting a 10% floor for bond in criminal cases, passed the House after a series of procedural votes. Proponents described it as establishing a uniform, flat 10% minimum; critics raised questions about fairness and the effect on indigent defendants.
The House approved Senate Bill 464, which establishes a minimum bond level of 10% of the face value of a bond in criminal cases, after floor debate and procedural votes.
Chairman Doggett described the bill as setting a 10% flat rate for bond. The measure was subject to a previous‑question motion, which proceeded to a floor vote; the clerk recorded votes during the previous question and final passage sequence. On one recorded count, the clerk announced "I, 71, 20 3 nays" during the final tally for the bill; the presiding officer declared the bill passed and the clerk later recorded that the bill received the constitutional majority.
Supporters said the bill would standardize a bond floor across criminal cases; critics raised concerns about the effects on indigent defendants. The transcript records members asking for clarification on how the percentage would be applied, and the sponsor reiterated that the floor is a flat 10% of the bond amount.
The bill passed the House and the presiding officer declared it passed. The transcript does not include subsequent implementation language or administrative directives on how judges and clerks must apply the new statutory floor aside from the statutory language itself.
