HBA-MPM H.B. 174 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 174
By: Lewis, Glenn
Corrections
3/4/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Board of Pardons and Paroles (board) is not required to meet
as a body when deliberating clemency matters and is authorized to cast its
votes by telephone conference call.  The state's clemency process has been
criticized by those who feel that by not meeting in person, the board may
not be giving due consideration to some inmates who appeal for clemency.
House Bill 174 requires the board as well as a parole panel to meet as a
body to perform their duties in clemency and parole matters, respectively,
and prohibits the board from holding a hearing on clemency matters by
telephone. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 174 amends the Government Code to provide that the members of
the Board of Pardons and Paroles (board) must meet as a body to perform
their duties in clemency matters.  Additionally, the bill provides that the
members of a parole panel must meet as a body to perform members' duties. 

The bill repeals the law in the Government Code that authorizes the board
to hold a hearing on clemency matters by telephone conference call.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.