BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 4 By: Montford (Junell) February 24, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND At the direction of state leaders, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) initiated two emergency expansion programs in calendar year 1994 aimed primarily at relieving overcrowded conditions in county jails. The first project, which began last January, seeks to add more than 15,000 emergency beds to the system. The second project was a joint effort between TDCJ and county governments across the state that culminated in an additional 7,900 temporary beds. The TDCJ also expanded the size of a Dallas County state jail project pursuant to a request from the legislative leadership. The TDCJ was directed to use existing appropriations on the emergency projects with the understanding that additional funds for construction and operations would be made available at a later date. The TDCJ has already received the necessary operating funds through a series of budget executions authorized by the Legislative Budget Board. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 4 requires the issuance of general obligation bonds to raise revenue for building new corrections institutions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Requires the Texas Public Finance Authority to issue $236.4 million in bonds and distribute the proceeds for the purposes specified in the emergency appropriation for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) from the unissued balance of general obligation bonds. SECTION 2. (a) Defines "current General Appropriations Act." (b) Provides that the sum of $236.4 million is appropriated to the TDCJ, for a specified time period, for the payment of expenses incurred in acquiring, constructing, or equipping new corrections institutions. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: Upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 4 was considered in a public hearing before the full committee on February 27, 1995. The Chair laid out S.B. 4. No one testified for, on, or against the bill. The Chair moved to favorably report the bill to the Committee on Calendars. The bill was reported favorably to the Committee on Calendars with the recommendation that it do pass, by a vote of 18 aye, 0 nay, 0 PNV, and 9 absent.