Honorable Andrew S. Murr, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB137 by Thompson, Senfronia (Relating to the authority of a court to grant a commutation of punishment for certain persons released on parole.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow a person released on parole to file a motion with the convicting court for a commutation of a sentence if the person has successfully completed ten years of parole, the parole was not revoked at any time during that period, and the person is not required to register as a sex offender. According to the Office of Court Administration and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the costs associated with the bill's provisions could be absorbed using existing resources.
The bill would take effect December 1, 2021. The bill would require the approval of an amendment to the Texas Constitution by the voters authorizing the legislature to enact laws providing for a court to grant a commutation of punishment to a person who has successfully served the required number of years on parole. If voters do not approve the constitutional amendment, the provisions of the bill would not take effect.
This analysis assumes implementing the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on state correctional populations or on the demand for state correctional resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 696 Department of Criminal Justice, 697 Board of Pardons and Paroles