TX HB5254

Creates the Texas Innocence Inquiry Commission, an 8-member body composed of a district court judge, prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, peace officer, private investigator, victim's rights advocate, and two public members, appointed on rotating basis by the governor, attorney general, chief justice, presiding judge of criminal appeals, and legislative committee chairs

Authorizes the commission to investigate claims of actual innocence from persons convicted of felony offenses, with claims filed by courts, state/local agencies, attorneys, the convicted person, or commission members, and supported by new evidence not available at trial

Establishes a formal inquiry process including subpoena authority, forensic testing capabilities, evidence preservation requirements, and public hearings, with progress updates to parties every 180 days

Requires at least 5 commission members (or 6 for guilty plea cases) to agree that sufficient evidence of actual innocence exists before referring cases to the convicting court for an actual innocence hearing or to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for a pardon recommendation

Provides that if a court finds clear and convincing evidence of actual innocence, it must overturn the conviction and dismiss charges with prejudice, entitling the exonerated person to state compensation, job training, and reintegration services