By:  Ellis                                                      S.J.R. No. 28 
	(In the Senate - Filed February 19, 2003; February 25, 2003, 
read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; 
March 31, 2003, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 4, 
Nays 2; March 31, 2003, sent to printer.)


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION


proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the governor to 
grant one or more reprieves in a capital case.
	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                       
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (b), Section 11, Article IV, Texas 
Constitution, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  In all criminal cases, except treason and impeachment, 
the Governor shall have power, after conviction, on the written 
signed recommendation and advice of the Board of Pardons and 
Paroles, or a majority thereof, to grant reprieves and commutations 
of punishment and pardons; and under such rules as the Legislature 
may prescribe, 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 or more reprieves [reprieve] in any capital case 
for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days for each reprieve; and 
he shall have power to revoke conditional pardons.  With the advice 
and consent of the Legislature, he may grant reprieves, 
commutations of punishment and pardons in cases of treason.
	SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003.  
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 
proposition:  "The constitutional amendment authorizing the 
governor to grant more than one reprieve in a capital case."



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