Call Today! 317-875-8700 Write Bail Bonds for ASC State Specific Bail Bond Information About Us Contact Us HomeUncategorizedTexas Bail Legislation Awaits Governor’s Signature – California SB 262 Pending Texas Bail Legislation Awaits Governor’s Signature – California SB 262 Pending 08Sep 2021 No Comments By Michael J. Whitlock mwhitlock@asc-usi.com The Damon Allen Act, after failing to pass in 2019, was easily passed out of both chambers of the Texas State Legislature and is now awaiting Governor Greg Abbot’s signature. There were a lot of people and organizations involved in the passing of The Damon Allen Act, appropriately named after a Texas Highway Patrol Officer who lost his life in the line of duty. Both the American Bail Coalition and the Professional Bondsmen of Texas played pivotal roles in educating legislators on the efficacy of secured bail and bail bonds in particularly. One must read the 40 page Act in order to fully digest its contents. The measure addresses everything from due process to prohibiting PR bonds for those charged with violent offenses to required reporting of statistical data to regulating charitable bail funds. Simply put, it’s one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation seen in the way of bail reform since anyone can remember. It only needs the signature of the Governor to become law. California The last day of the 2021 session for any bill to pass the California legislature is Friday, September 10, four days from now. Of particular interest to anyone wanting to continue to operate a bail bond company in California is Senate Bill 262. SB 262 is an unabashed assault on an entire industry. The bill says, if a defendant’s case is dismissed or the prosecutor fails to file charges, 95% of the bail premium must be refunded. The same holds true if the defendant makes all their court appearances. So, if a bail agent does his/her job they have to return the lions share of the premium. This is clearly an industry killing bill and it must not pass. Sadly, defending a surety’s right to retain the premium earned is being fought almost exclusively by the bail industry while the majority of the insurance industry act as bystanders. Fortunately, bail agents are never afraid to get our hands dirty. If it’s a fight you want, it’s a fight you will get. Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Acquired in 1993, American Surety Company is a Property & Casualty company specializing in the writing of bail bonds through independent licensed bail bond agents. Copyright © 2018 American Surety Company. All rights reserved. Sign Up for Our Newsletter! We'll send you valuable Legislative Updates, Case Summaries and Commentary. Email* Follow us on Facebook! Write Bail Bonds for ASC State Specific Bail Bond Information About Us Contact Us Site Map Disclaimer Forms Warning Certificate of Authority Privacy Notice