88R2572 JCG-D
By: Dutton H.B. No. 927
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a commission to review certain laws of
this state that restrict the rights or activities of persons
convicted of a felony offense and to make certain recommendations
regarding those laws.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. COMMISSION TO STUDY CERTAIN LAWS THAT RESTRICT
RIGHTS OR ACTIVITIES OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF FELONY OFFENSES.
(a) A commission is created to study and review all laws of this
state that restrict the rights or activities of persons convicted
of a felony offense, including:
(1) the right to vote;
(2) the right to serve on a grand or petit jury; and
(3) eligibility for certain occupational licenses.
(b) The commission shall:
(1) evaluate all laws described by Subsection (a) of
this section; and
(2) make recommendations to the legislature regarding
the repeal or amendment of laws that are identified as being overly
restrictive or not otherwise serving the best interest of justice.
(c) The commission is composed of nine members appointed as
follows:
(1) two members appointed by the governor;
(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the chief justice of the
Supreme Court of Texas; and
(5) two members appointed by the presiding judge of
the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
(d) The officials making appointments to the commission
under Subsection (c) of this section shall ensure that the
membership of the commission includes judges, legal scholars, and
relevant business and governmental interests.
(e) The governor shall designate one member of the
commission to serve as the presiding officer of the commission.
(f) A member of the commission is not entitled to
compensation or reimbursement of expenses.
(g) The commission shall meet at the call of the presiding
officer.
(h) Not later than November 1, 2024, the commission shall
report the commission's findings and recommendations to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Texas Court of
Criminal Appeals. The commission shall include in its
recommendations any specific statutes that the commission
recommends repealing or amending.
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS. Not later than the 60th
day after the effective date of this Act, the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, and the presiding
judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals shall appoint the
members of the commission created under this Act.
SECTION 3. ABOLITION OF COMMISSION. The commission is
abolished and this Act expires December 31, 2024.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2023.