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Panel advances cashless-bail reporting bill amid sharp debate over federalism and purpose
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Summary
The committee voted to report H.R. 5625, requiring the Attorney General to publish a list of jurisdictions using cashless pretrial release for certain offenses. Supporters called it a transparency measure; opponents described it as a state issue and criticized the effort as partisan or duplicative of executive action. The committee adopted an amendment narrowing scope.
Representative Harris introduced H.R. 5625, the Cashless Bail Reporting Act, which would direct the Attorney General to publish a public list of state and local jurisdictions that allow pretrial release without cash bail for specified serious offenses. Harris framed the bill as a response to perceived public-safety risks and urged transparency: "This legislation requires the attorney general to publish a public and assessable list of each state and local jurisdiction that allows the pretrial release of a person charged with a covered offense."
Debate and objections: The bill drew extended debate. Opponents argued bail policy is primarily a state and local function and questioned practicality: Representative (Kentucky) asked whether the issue is a state matter and how the list would be used, noting the sheer number of jurisdictions. Representative (Pennsylvania) and others warned that the bill risks returning to cash-based bail policies that disproportionately burden the poor. Some members accused the bill of being a partisan "hit list" of jurisdictions with different criminal-justice approaches.
Supporters and clarifications: Other members, including the ranking member and members from both parties, said the bill is a modest transparency measure and could be a first step toward more substantive study. Several members suggested the Department of Justice already maintains similar information via executive action, and the amendment adopted narrowed focus to jurisdictions that use cashless policies specifically for serious violent crimes and public-order offenses.
Outcome: The committee adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute (narrowing scope) and voted to report H.R. 5625 favorably to the House. Members expressed divergent views about utility and federalism but the measure advanced with staff authorized to make technical and conforming edits.
