TO:	Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1545 by Cyrier (Relating to the continuation and functions of the Commission on Jail Standards.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

The bill would amend the Government Code as it relates to the continuation and functions of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). The bill would require TCJS to make certain updates to commission member training and the inmate complaints process. The bill would direct TCJS to analyze data collected during inspections to identify trends related to noncompliance, serious incidents, and other jail operations. The bill would also authorize TCJS to establish advisory committees by rule. TCJS would be required to establish a risk-based approach to jail inspections, adopt rules and procedures for the reinspection of noncompliant jails, and adopt rules for escalating enforcement action against certain jails. The bill would also direct TCJS to ensure that minimum jail standards account for varying needs and risk level between jails. According to TCJS and the Sunset Commission, the costs associated with the bill's provisions could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

The bill will require TCJS to adopt and revise minimum standards that would impact local jails. According to TCJS, there may be a cost to local governments depending on the facility and the standards adopted.