HJR 395 Summary

• Proposes amendment to Section 8 of Article IV of the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature to prescribe additional circumstances for suspending or remitting fines and forfeitures, granting reprieves, restoring civil rights, and commuting punishments

• Governor may suspend collection of fines and forfeitures, grant reprieves not exceeding sixty days, and with approval of two cabinet members, grant full or conditional pardons and restore civil rights

• In treason cases, governor may grant reprieves only until the next regular legislative session, at which point the legislature may grant a pardon or further reprieve or the sentence must be executed

• Authorizes creation by law of a parole and probation commission to supervise probation and grant paroles or conditional releases, with commission member qualifications and terms not to exceed six years prescribed by law

• Amendment requires approval by Florida voters at the next general election or earlier special election authorized by law