Bill Text: TX SB180 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the authority of the governor to grant one or more reprieves in a capital case.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-01-27 - Referred to Criminal Justice [SB180 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SB180-Introduced.html

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84R604 MEW-D
By: Ellis S.B. No. 180

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the governor to grant one or more
reprieves in a capital case.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 48.01(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) In all criminal cases, except treason and impeachment,
the Governor shall have power, after conviction or successful
completion of a term of deferred adjudication community
supervision, on the written signed recommendation and advice of the
Board of Pardons and Paroles, or a majority thereof, to grant
reprieves and commutations of punishments and pardons; and upon the
written recommendation and advice of a majority of the Board of
Pardons and Paroles, the Governor [he] shall have the power to remit
fines and forfeitures. The Governor shall have the power to grant
one or more reprieves [reprieve] in any capital case for a period
not to exceed 30 days for each reprieve; and the Governor [he] shall
have power to revoke conditional pardons. With the advice and
consent of the Legislature, the Governor may grant reprieves,
commutations of punishment and pardons in cases of treason.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016, but only
if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 84th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2015, authorizing the governor to grant one or
more reprieves in a capital case is approved by the voters. If that
amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.