Bill: HB 1967, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

House Criminal Jurisprudence

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Joe Moody

Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of an innocence project grant program.


Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

This bill would require any legal clinic or program in the state that receives financial support from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission to submit an annual report to the commission. This bill would establish a program for the Innocence Project. The grant program would go towards projects that screen, investigate, and litigate post-conviction claims of innocence in non-capital cases. If passed, a public or private law school in Texas, and non-profit organizations would be eligible for the grant.

Vote Recommendation Notes

The creation of a new grant program is an expansion of government. On the other hand, Texas has a problem with too many wrongly convicted people being found after many years in prison to have been innocent after all and to the extent that this program helps to free other wrongly convicted prisoners this would support our limited government principle. Due to these conflicting principles we remain neutral. 

Organizations Supporting

Christian Life Commission
Texas Appleseed

Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 05:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/hb1967?print_view=true