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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the governor to |
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grant a pardon to certain persons under specific circumstances. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 11(b), Article IV, Texas Constitution, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) In all criminal cases, except treason and impeachment, |
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the Governor shall have power, after conviction or successful |
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completion of a term of deferred adjudication community |
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supervision, on the written signed recommendation and advice of the |
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Board of Pardons and Paroles, or a majority thereof, to grant |
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reprieves and commutations of punishment and pardons, including a |
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posthumous pardon for actual innocence. Under [; and under] such |
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rules as the Legislature may prescribe, and upon the written |
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recommendation and advice of a majority of the Board of Pardons and |
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Paroles, the Governor [he] shall have the power to remit fines and |
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forfeitures. The Governor shall have the power to grant one |
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reprieve in any capital case for a period not to exceed thirty (30) |
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days. The Governor [; and he] shall have power to revoke |
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conditional pardons. With the advice and consent of the |
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Legislature, the Governor [he] may grant reprieves, commutations of |
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punishment and pardons in cases of treason. |
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SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2009. |
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The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the |
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governor to grant a pardon to certain persons under specific |
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circumstances." |