BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2278
                                         By: Hightower (Montford)
                                                 Criminal Justice
                                                         05-10-95
                                Senate Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

Currently, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has
jurisdiction over all correctional facilities.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2278 authorizes the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice to transfer the duties of certain correctional facilities
to the jurisdiction of another state agency.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 496A, Government Code, by adding Section
496.0031, as follows:

     Sec. 496.0031.  TRANSFER OF FACILITIES.  (a)  Authorizes the
     Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to transfer a
     correctional facility to another agency of the state, and the
     agency receiving the facility subsequently to transfer the
     facility back to TDCJ.
     
     (b)  Provides that a transfer under this section requires
       the agreement of the board and the governing body of the
       agency receiving the correctional facility or returning the
       correctional facility to TDCJ, both as to the identity of
       the facility to be transferred and to the method of
       transfer.
       
       (c)  Defines "transfer."
       
SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 551A, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 551.008, as follows:

     Sec. 551.008.  TRANSFER OF FACILITIES.  (a)  Authorizes TDCJ
     to transfer the south campus of Vernon State Hospital to the
     Texas Youth Commission (TYC) contingent upon the agreement of
     the governing board of TDCJ and the governing board of TYC.
     
     (b)  Defines "transfer."
SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.