Florida Senate - 2014                                   SJR 1224
       
       
        
       By Senator Thompson
       
       
       
       
       
       12-01296-14                                           20141224__
    1                       Senate Joint Resolution                     
    2         A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 8
    3         of Article IV of the State Constitution, relating to
    4         restoration of civil rights, to authorize the
    5         Legislature to prescribe additional circumstances
    6         under which certain reprieves may be granted and civil
    7         rights restored.
    8          
    9  Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   10  
   11         That the following amendment to Section 8 of Article IV of
   12  the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to
   13  the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
   14  general election or at an earlier special election specifically
   15  authorized by law for that purpose:
   16                             ARTICLE IV                            
   17                              EXECUTIVE                            
   18         SECTION 8. Clemency.—
   19         (a) Except in cases of treason and in cases where
   20  impeachment results in conviction, and except as otherwise
   21  prescribed by law, the governor may, by executive order filed
   22  with the custodian of state records, suspend collection of fines
   23  and forfeitures, grant reprieves not exceeding sixty days and,
   24  with the approval of two members of the cabinet, grant full or
   25  conditional pardons, restore civil rights, commute punishment,
   26  and remit fines and forfeitures for offenses.
   27         (b) In cases of treason the governor may grant reprieves
   28  until adjournment of the regular session of the legislature
   29  convening next after the conviction, at which session the
   30  legislature may grant a pardon or further reprieve; otherwise
   31  the sentence shall be executed.
   32         (c) There may be created by law a parole and probation
   33  commission with power to supervise persons on probation and to
   34  grant paroles or conditional releases to persons under sentences
   35  for crime. The qualifications, method of selection and terms,
   36  not to exceed six years, of members of the commission shall be
   37  prescribed by law.
   38         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
   39  placed on the ballot:
   40                      CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT                     
   41                        ARTICLE IV, SECTION 8                      
   42         RESTORATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS.—Proposing an amendment to the
   43  State Constitution authorizing the Legislature to provide the
   44  conditions under which fines and forfeitures may be suspended or
   45  remitted, reprieves may be granted, civil rights may be
   46  restored, and punishments may be commuted.