79R651 MFC-D

By:  Ellis                                                        S.B. No. 548


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the manner in which the Board of Pardons and Paroles performs duties related to clemency in capital cases. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 508.047(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) The members of the board are not required to meet as a body to perform the members' duties in clemency matters, except in a capital case. SECTION 2. Section 551.124, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 551.124. BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES. At the call of the presiding officer of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the board may hold a hearing on clemency matters, other than matters involving a capital case, by telephone conference call. SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to clemency duties performed by the Board of Pardons and Paroles on or after the effective date of this Act. Duties performed before the effective date of this Act are covered by the law in effect at the time the duties were performed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.