Bill Text: TX HB225 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Relating to the procedure for an application for a writ of habeas corpus based on certain new evidence.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-05-18 - Left pending in committee [HB225 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB225-Engrossed.html

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87R971 KJE-F
By: Thompson of Harris, Collier, Hernandez, H.B. No. 225
Krause, et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the procedure for an application for a writ of habeas
corpus based on certain new evidence.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 11.0732 to read as follows:
Art. 11.0732. PROCEDURE RELATED TO CERTAIN NEW EVIDENCE.
(a) This article applies to evidence, other than evidence
described by Article 11.073(a), that:
(1) was not available to be offered by a convicted
person at the person's trial; and
(2) is material to the person's conviction.
(b) A court may grant a convicted person relief on an
application for a writ of habeas corpus if:
(1) the convicted person files an application, in the
manner provided by Article 11.07, 11.071, or 11.072, containing
specific facts indicating that:
(A) evidence described by Subsection (a) is
currently available and was not available at the time of the
person's trial because the evidence was not ascertainable through
the exercise of reasonable diligence by the person before the date
of or during the person's trial; and
(B) the evidence would be admissible under the
Texas Rules of Evidence at a trial held on the date of the
application; and
(2) the court makes the findings described by
Subdivisions (1)(A) and (B) and also finds that, had the evidence
been presented at trial, on the preponderance of the evidence the
person would not have been convicted.
(c) For purposes of Section 4(a)(1), Article 11.07, Section
5(a)(1), Article 11.071, and Section 9(a), Article 11.072, a claim
or issue could not have been presented previously in an original
application or in a previously considered application if the claim
or issue is based on evidence described by Subsection (a) that was
not ascertainable through the exercise of reasonable diligence by
the convicted person on or before the date on which the original
application or a previously considered application, as applicable,
was filed.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an application for a writ of habeas corpus filed on or after the
effective date of this Act. An application filed before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the
application was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for
that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.