Honorable Pete Gallego, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB297 by Dutton (Relating to the abolition of the death penalty.), As Introduced
The bill would repeal provisions of the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure resulting in the abolishment of the death penalty and all capital felonies.
According to fiscal year 2008 admissions data, 10 persons were admitted to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice with death penalty sentences. Under current law and policy, and under the proposed bill, the average time served in prison by persons likely to be affected by the provisions of this bill is greater than five years. Therefore, no additional impact on demands on the adult corrections agencies are anticipated during the first five years following passage of this bill.