FROM THE GOVERNOR

Abbott signs strongest Bail reform package in Texas history HOUSTON — Governor Greg Abbott signed into law the strongest bail reform package in Texas history at Crime Stoppers of Houston. Joined by dozens of bail reform advocates and families of victims, the Governor signed Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 40, House Bill 75, and Senate Joint Resolution 5 to protect Texans by keeping violent, repeat offenders behind bars.

“This session, we confronted a crisis, a revolving door bail system that repeatedly released dangerous criminals back onto the streets,” said Governor Abbott. “To the victims and their families, today your pain is answered. Not only are we signing laws that correct the wrongs, your efforts have led to a rewriting of the Constitution of the State of Texas to ensure criminals like those who harmed your families will never be out on the loose again.”

The Governor was joined at the bill signing by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Chairwoman Joan Huffman, Chairman John Smithee, Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Makarious, Crime Stoppers of Houston Director of Victim Services and Advocacy Andy Kahan, and bail reform advocate Aimee Castillo.

Aimee Castillo’s brother, Joshua Sandoval, was murdered by a criminal out on bond for aggravated robbery in Fort Bend County and two more felony bonds in Harris County. Devan Jordan failed to appear in court to have a GPS ankle monitor put on for violating his bond conditions the same day he shot and killed Joshua. After being charged with capital murder, Devan was let out on bond again and murdered Jeffrey Johnson two weeks later.

“We encountered the revolving door at the Harris County Courthouse,” said Ms. Castillo. “There is something deeply, tragically wrong with a system that gives repeat, violent felony offenders chance after chance, while families like mine are given a life sentence of grief. I am proud to have played a small role in getting these bills passed, and I am proud to tell my brother he became a catalyst for change.”

The Governor was also joined by Senator Mayes Middleton, Representative David Cook, Representative Caroline Harris Davila, Representative Lacey Hull, Representative Mitch Little, Representative AJ Louderback, Representative Mary Ann Perez, Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Freeman F. Martin, and other state and local officials.

Senate Bill 9 (Huffman/ Smithee) gives prosecutors the ability to appeal bad bail decisions made in cases involving the most heinous crimes and repeat felons. This bill also ensures only elected judges may reduce the amount or conditions of a bail set by an elected judge.

Senate Bill 40 (Huffman/ Smithee) prohibits the use of public funds to pay a nonprofit organization that will then post bail for criminals.

House Bill 75 (Smithee/ Huffman) ensures transparency in the initial stages of a criminal case, requiring magistrates provide a written explanation on why they determined an arrest was made without probable cause.

Senate Joint Resolution 5 (Huffman/Smithee) is a constitutional amendment that will require a judge to deny bail to a defendant charged with the most heinous crimes — such as rape, murder, human trafficking — when the state proves the defendant is a threat to public safety or will not show up for trial.

In his 2025 State of the State Address, Governor Abbott declared bail reform an emergency item this legislative session.

Abbott names Foster chair, appoints McCall to Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott appointed John A. McCall Jr., O.D. to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for a term set to expire on Feb. 1, 2031. Additionally, the Governor named Paul Foster as chair of the Commission. The Commission manages and conserves the natural and cultural resources of Texas and provides hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

John A. McCall Jr., O.D. of Crockett is senior vice president and a founder of Vision Source, owner of Crockett Eye Clinic, co-founder and co-owner of Logansport Surgical Center, and founder and owner of Stealth Vision Optics and Rifles. He most recently served as acting chairman at the end of a 6-year term on the Board of Regents for the University of Houston (UH) System and was recognized as Outstanding Alumni of the Year. He is a former city councilman and mayor of the City of Crockett. He is currently president of the American Academy of Optometric Medicine and Surgery and previously served as president of the American Optometric Association and the Texas Optometric Association, which presented him with Young O.D. of the Year, O.D. of the Year, and Distinguished Service Award. McCall received a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Optometry from UH.

Paul Foster of El Paso is the founder, CEO, and director of Franklin Mountain Investments, LLC (FMI). FMl’s affiliates include Franklin Mountain Capital, Franklin Mountain Energy, Franklin Mountain Industrial, and Franklin Mountain Property Services. He has served as a commissioner for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission since 2021. He is a former director of the National Petroleum Refiners Association and the Western Petroleum Marketers Association. Additionally, he is former chairman of The University of Texas (UT) Investment Management Company and served as chairman of the UT System Board of Regents. Additionally, he served on the UT System University Lands Advisory Board, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, and the El Paso Branch of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank. He is a member of the board of the Baylor College of Medicine, serves on the Borderplex Alliance Executive Committee, and is a member of the World Presidents Organization. He is a Director of West-Star Bank in El Paso. Foster received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Baylor University.

Abbott celebrates promises kept during 89th Legislative session AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the successful slate of conservative, pro-growth legislation passed in the 89th Legislative Session, keeping the promises made to Texans during his 2025 State of the State Address.

“Working with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and leaders in the Texas Legislature, we delivered historic conservative legislation that will benefit Texans for generations to come,” said Governor Abbott. “I look forward to signing these bills into law to make Texas stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever in the history of our great state.”

Working with the Texas Legislature, Governor Abbott delivered on constitutional ly declared Emergency Items and key priorities that will benefit generations of Texans: BRIGHTER TEXAS

• Launched the largest day-one school choice program in the nation

• Invested a record $8.5 billion in new funding for public education

• Provided a historic $4 billion for teacher and staff pay raises

• Expanded career training education, especially in rural areas, with an additional $153 million so students can go directly into good-paying jobs

• Passed the Parent’s Bill of Rights, putting parents back in charge of their child’s education

• Banned DEI from public schools and universities

• Codified that only two sexes—male and female—are recognized in Texas

• Removed explicit materials from school SAFER TEXAS

• Made it tougher for violent criminals to get out of jail on bail

• Prohibited parole for human traffickers who prey on children and people with disabilities

• Invested over $3.35 billion in border security

• Required all counties with jails to assist with Immigration and Customs Enforcement

• Banned the sale of Texas land to foreign adversaries like China

• Established the Texas Cyber Command, the largest state-based cybersecurity department in America

• Required schools to report sexual abuse and misconduct

• Invested in Texas’ rural and volunteer fire departments

• Increased parental control for their child’s internet access

• Improved the integrity of Texas’ elections MORE POWERFUL TEXAS

• Dedicated a $20 billion generational investment in Texas’ water infrastructure

• Created the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office to lead America’s nuclear renaissance

• Established a nuclear energy workforce development program

• Added $5 billion to generate more power for the electric grid

• Increased reliability of the electricity supply chain to further secure the Texas grid

MORE PROSPEROUS TEXAS:

• Provided $10 billion in new funding for property tax relief

• Increased the homestead exemption for homeowners, senior citizens, and disabled Texans

• Reduced business personal property taxes for business owners

• Championed laws that create new jobs and spur business expansion

• Raised attendant care wages for those who care for vulnerable Texans

• Supported women and families with record funding for the Healthy Texas Women and Thriving Texas Families program