85R5561 LHC-F     By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2183       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of an innocence project grant program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 79.039(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  Each legal clinic or program in this state [that is   operated by a law school and] that receives  financial support from   the commission shall submit to the commission an annual report   regarding criminal cases:                (1)  in which the clinic or program has provided legal   services to an indigent defendant during the preceding calendar   year; and                (2)  in which:                      (A)  based on a finding of actual innocence, the   court of criminal appeals overturns a conviction; or                      (B)  the governor issues a pardon based on actual   innocence.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 79, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 79.041 to read as follows:          Sec. 79.041.  INNOCENCE PROJECT GRANT PROGRAM.  (a)  Using   any funds available for the purpose, the commission may establish   an innocence project grant program to support:                (1)  projects that screen, investigate, and litigate   post-conviction claims of actual innocence in non-capital cases in   this state; and                (2)  associated expenses necessary to conduct those   activities.          (b)  In making grant awards under the program, the commission   shall promote among projects coordinated strategies that will   enable those projects to efficiently screen requests for assistance   and to engage in effective investigation and litigation activities.          (c)  Only the following entities are eligible to receive   grants under the program:                (1)  a public or private law school in Texas; or                (2)  a nonprofit organization based in this state that   operates an innocence project.          (d)  The commission may adopt rules to implement this   section.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.