80R12137 HLT-D
 
  By: Turner H.B. No. 312
 
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 312:
 
  By:  Pena C.S.H.B. No. 312
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the burden of proof in a community supervision
revocation hearing regarding a defendant's ability to make certain
court-ordered payments.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 21(c), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
       (c)  In a community supervision revocation hearing at which
it is alleged only that the defendant violated the conditions of
community supervision by failing to pay compensation paid to
appointed counsel, community supervision fees, or court costs,
[restitution, or reparations,] the state must prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that [inability of] the defendant was
able to pay and did not pay as ordered by the judge [is an
affirmative defense to revocation, which the defendant must prove
by a preponderance of evidence].
       SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a community supervision revocation hearing held on or after the
effective date of this Act.
       SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.