Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2805 by Leo-Wilson (Relating to the consideration of certain information by a parole panel in determining whether to release an inmate on parole.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2805, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($13,841,623) through the biennium ending August 31, 2025.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2024
($7,041,825)
2025
($6,799,798)
2026
($6,799,798)
2027
($6,799,798)
2028
($6,799,798)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2023
2024
($7,041,825)
138.0
2025
($6,799,798)
138.0
2026
($6,799,798)
138.0
2027
($6,799,798)
138.0
2028
($6,799,798)
138.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) to consider certain additional information in all decisions relating to the release of an inmate on parole. According to BPP, this would have a significant fiscal impact on the agency.
Methodology
Under the provisions of the bill, BPP would have to subpoena the Texas Education Agency for any disciplinary records they have relating to the inmate. According to BPP, in order to complete this for the approximately 75,000 parole cases heard each year, the agency would require 15 Program Specialist I FTEs at a cost of $830,876 per year.
The bill also requires BPP to consider relevant information from an inmate's social media accounts. According to BPP, in order to comply with this requirement they would need 123 Data Analyst I FTEs at a cost of $5,689,167 per year.
Additionally, they state they would need $279,755 per year for rent and miscellaneous supplies.
Technology
BPP states that there would be a one-time technology cost of $242,027 in order to outfit all new FTEs with laptops and the necessary software to complete the requirements of the bill.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
697 Board of Pardons and Paroles, 701 Texas Education Agency