SRC-JFA H.B. 2825 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2825 By: Place (Patterson) Criminal Justice 5-7-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) possesses statutory authority to contract with certain entities to perform highway maintenance work. The legislature has authorized the creation of community supervision and corrections departments (CSCDs) as a means for individuals placed on community supervision by a district judge to pay for their debts in the form of community service. TxDOT has expressed interest in contracting with a CSCD and/or a county sheriff's department for the performance of highway maintenance work by probationers and/or inmates. TxDOT has the authority to utilize inmate labor from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; but does not have the authority to utilize probationer or inmate labor from a CSCD or a sheriff's department operating a county farm or workhouse or a county correctional center program for the performance of highway maintenance. This bill would authorize the Texas Transportation Commission to contract with a CSCD or a sheriff's department operating a county farm or workhouse or a county correctional center program for the provision of inmate or probationer labor for a state highways system improvement project. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2825 authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission and a criminal justice agency to contract for the provision of inmate or probationer labor for a state highway system improvement project; defines "criminal justice agency." RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 223.004, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 223.044. New heading: INMATE OR PROBATIONER LABOR FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) and a criminal justice agency to contract for the provision of inmate or probationer labor for a state highway system improvement project. Deletes text authorizing the commission to contract with the Texas Board of Criminal Justice for the provision of inmate or probationer labor. Defines "criminal justice agency." SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.