By Reyna of Bexar                                     H.B. No. 2081
         77R5688 GWK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the creation of a commutation process for certain
 1-3     seriously ill inmates.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 508.053 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 508.053.  COMMUTATION OF PUNISHMENT BASED ON SERIOUS
 1-8     ILLNESS.  The board may recommend to the governor for commutation
 1-9     of punishment inmates confined in the institutional division who
1-10     are not eligible for release on special needs parole under Section
1-11     508.146 but who because of serious illness do not pose a threat to
1-12     public safety if released.
1-13           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-14     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-15     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-16     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-17     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.