By: Thompson, Hodge, Dutton H.B. No. 1148
        (Senate Sponsor - Ellis)
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 23, 2009;
  April 24, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Criminal Justice; May 6, 2009, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 6, 2009, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the authority of the governor to grant one or more
  reprieves in a capital case.
         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, 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 or more
  reprieves [reprieve] in any capital case for a period not to exceed
  30 days for each reprieve; 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 January 1, 2010, but only
  if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 81st Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2009, authorizing the governor to grant one or
  more reprieves in a capital case is approved by the voters. If that
  amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.
 
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