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  H.B. No. 312
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the burden of proof in a community supervision
  revocation hearing regarding a defendant's ability to make certain
  court-ordered payments.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 21(c), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  In a community supervision revocation hearing at which
  it is alleged only that the defendant violated the conditions of
  community supervision by failing to pay compensation paid to
  appointed counsel, community supervision fees, or court costs,
  [restitution, or reparations,] the state must prove by a
  preponderance of the evidence that [inability of] the defendant was
  able to pay and did not pay as ordered by the judge [is an
  affirmative defense to revocation, which the defendant must prove
  by a preponderance of evidence].  The court may order a community
  supervision and corrections department to obtain information
  pertaining to the factors listed under Article 42.037(h) of this
  code and include that information in the report required under
  Section 9(a) of this article or a separate report, as the court
  directs.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a community supervision revocation hearing held on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 312 was passed by the House on May 1,
  2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 123, Nays 20, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 312 was passed by the Senate on May
  17, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor