By Palmer                                             H.J.R. No. 52
         76R2775 KLA-D                           
                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the forfeiture of
 1-2     rights and interests of certain heirs, devisees, legatees, and
 1-3     donees.
 1-4           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 21, Article I, Texas Constitution, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 21.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
 1-8     section, no [No] conviction shall work corruption of blood, or
 1-9     forfeiture of estate, and the estates of those who destroy their
1-10     own lives shall descend or vest as in case of natural death.
1-11           (b)  The legislature may provide by law for forfeiture of a
1-12     right to or interest in a decedent's estate on conviction of a
1-13     devisee, legatee, heir, or donee for the murder or capital murder
1-14     of the decedent.
1-15           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
1-16     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
1-17     The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
1-18     proposition:  "The constitutional amendment authorizing the
1-19     legislature to prohibit a person who murders another person from
1-20     inheriting that person's estate."