Minimal progress on police reform efforts as Texas Legislature nears end
Minimal progress on police reform efforts as Texas Legislature nears end
As the final days tick away for the biannual Texas legislative session, progress is limited on police reform efforts proposed in the wake of George Floyd s death.
DALLAS - Following George Floyd’s murder, the momentum to implement police reform seemed strong in Texas and throughout the United States
But as the final days tick away for the biannual Texas legislative session, progress is limited.
The George Floyd Act a sweeping reform bill didn’t make it past its first committee hearing in the legislature. Instead it was broken up into smaller pieces, with some expected to be signed into law.
Texas bail reform one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s top priorities for this legislative session appears likely to pass in the state Legislature, with both the Texas Senate and House of Representatives poised to reach an agreement on what the legislation will look like.
The Damon Allen Act, which would make it more difficult for people to get out of jail pretrial, has passed both chambers of the Legislature, but in significantly different forms. Lawmakers now have less than a week to reconcile their competing versions before the session ends.
Both advocates and opponents believe some version of bail reform will become law.
George Floyd Act falling short, despite some smaller reforms passing
George Floyd Act falling short, despite some smaller reforms passing
Among other changes, it would have removed so-called qualified immunity, which in many cases protects officers from civil lawsuits.
AUSTIN, Texas - The one-year anniversary of the killing of Texas native George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer has come and gone, and it appears sweeping police reform legislation in his memory will not pass at the Texas Legislature.
The omnibus George Floyd Act, which included several big reforms, failed to make it out of committee. Among other changes, it would have removed so-called qualified immunity , which in many cases protects officers from civil lawsuits.