Dutton Felony Bill Sets Up A Nine-Member Study Commission

The text as introduced · 507 words

89R11390 CJD-D

By: Dutton
H.B. No. 2932

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, 2026, 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, 2026.

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, 2025.