HBA-MPM H.B. 95 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 95 By: Reyna, Arthur Corrections 3/17/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, a paroled individual is required to complete the remaining time of the individual's prison term if parole is revoked. H.B. 95 authorizes the Board of Pardons and Paroles to make recommendations to the governor regarding the commutation of punishment of incarcerated individuals who, because of serious illness, do not pose a threat to society. This bill also eliminates the authority of the board to grant parole for any reason other than medical. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Repealer: Chapter 508, Government Code (Parole and Mandatory Supervision), with the exceptions of Sections 508.001 (1)-(4) (Definitions), 508.031-508.035 (Composition of Board, Requirements for Membership, Disqualifications, Grounds for Removal, and Presiding Officer, respectively), 508.037-508.039 (Terms; Removal, Vacancies, and Compensation, respectively), and 508.051 (Sunset Provision). SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 508, Government Code, by adding Section 508.053, as follows: Sec. 508.053. COMMUTATION OF PUNISHMENT BASED ON SERIOUS ILLNESS. Authorizes the Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend to the governor that commutation of punishment be granted to inmates who because of serious illness do not pose a threat to public safety if released. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.