The state clears up every other bit of bail reforms (3,7)

I believe the answer is:

res publica

'the state' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'clears up every other bit of bail reforms' is the wordplay.
'every other bit of' indicates alternate letters.
'reforms' indicates anagramming the letters.
The alternate letters of 'bail' are 'bi'.
'clears'+'up'+'bi'='clearsupbi'
'clearsupbi' with letters rearranged gives 'RES PUBLICA'.

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