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.