Article IV of the Texas Constitution–discussion page

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22-0256 BROWN v. CITY OF HOUSTON "That sovereign policy decision manifested itself in a constitutional amendment approved in November 1956, which authorizes the legislature to “grant aid and compensation to any person” fined or imprisoned “for an offense for which he or she is not guilty, under such regulations and limitations as the Legislature may deem expedient.” Tex. Const. art. III, § 51-c. The amendment was a cautious, aspirational step. It did not directly promise anything to anyone, for by its terms the amendment was not self-executing. See, e.g., State v. Clements, 319 S.W.2d 450, 453 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 1958, writ ref’d). It simply authorized legislation for its stated purpose."