The Texas Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to pass new criminal justice legislation that would further restrict cashless bail and keep more defendants in jail, including people who are living in the country illegally.

The move escalates the state’s efforts to improve conditions in Harris County’s jail system, which has struggled to comply with a remedial order since 2023.

The Texas Senate passed a bipartisan bill with nearly unanimous support to implement statewide bail reform. Gov. Greg Abbott listed bail reform as an emergency item for the legislature to pass. Lt. Gov.