ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
board of executive
clemency; sunset
Continues the Board of Executive Clemency (Board) until July 1, 2004.
Originally
called the Board of Control, the Board was established in 1901. The Board
consists of five members nominated by a committee and appointed by the
Governor. The Board’s mission is to ensure public safety by considering and
granting parole to inmates who appear to pose no threat to society and by
making recommendations to the Governor regarding clemency actions. The Board
estimates that it conducted approximately 4,500 parole hearings, 2,500
modification, rescission or revocation hearings and 400 commutation or pardon
reviews in FY 2000-2001. In addition to other statutorily mandated duties, the
Board conducts disproportionality reviews and, in accordance with Proposition
200, first-time non-dangerous drug offender release hearings.
During the past
seven years, the number of hearings considered by the Board has declined. This is primarily due to the implementation
of truth-in-sentencing in 1994, which only allows the Board to consider parole
for inmates who were convicted before January 1994.
Pursuant to sunset requirements, the Board is scheduled to terminate on July 1, 2002. During the 2001 interim, the Senate and House of Representatives Judiciary Committees of Reference (COR) held a public hearing for review of the Board. The COR recommended the Board be continued for ten years. H.B. 2337 continues the Board for two years.
1. Continues the Board until July 1, 2004.
2. Contains a retroactivity clause of July 1, 2002.
Amendments
Adopted by the Appropriations Committee
· Eliminates the Joint Study Committee on the Executive Clemency Board.
JUD 1/22/02 DP 9-0-0-1-0 JUD 4/16/02 DP 5-1-2-0
APPROP 4/02/02 DPA 10-0-0-6 APPROP 4/23/02 DPA 9-0-3-0
3rd Read 4/08/02 49-0-11-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
April 24, 2002