By:  West                                                         S.B. No. 1179


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to authorizing the governor to grant pardons to persons 
who have received deferred adjudication.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Article 48.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Art. 48.01.  GOVERNOR MAY PARDON.  In all criminal cases, 
except treason and impeachment, the Governor shall have power, 
after conviction or order of deferred adjudication, on the written 
signed recommendation and advice of the Board of Pardons and 
Paroles, or a majority thereof, to grant reprieves and commutations 
of punishments and pardons; and upon the written recommendation and 
advice of a majority of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, he shall 
have the power to remit fines and forfeitures.  The Governor shall 
have the power to grant one reprieve in any capital case for a 
period not to exceed 30 days; and he shall have power to revoke 
conditional pardons.  With the advice and consent of the 
Legislature, the Governor may grant reprieves, commutations of 
punishment and pardons in cases of treason.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.