SRC-SLL S.B. 1220 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1220
By: Patterson
Criminal Justice
3-26-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) possesses
statutory authority to allow only certain entities to perform highway
maintenance work.  Due to a lack of resources, TxDOT must utilize other
means to meet its roadside maintenance duties, such as cleaning debris
from under bridges, tree and brush trimming, graffiti removal, and litter
pickup.  TxDOT is in need of other resources to perform these duties.
Although TxDOT has the authority to utilize Texas Department of Criminal
Justice inmate labor, it does not have the authority to enter into
agreements with the Community Supervision and Corrections Department or a
sheriff's department operating a county farm, workhouse, or county
correctional facility to perform highway maintenance.  This bill will
authorize the Texas Transportation Commission to contract with a criminal
justice agency to use inmate and probationer labor for state highway
system projects. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1220 authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to
contract with a criminal justice agency to use inmate and probationer
labor for state highway system projects. 

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 223.044, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec.  223.044.  New heading: INMATE OR PROBATIONER LABOR FOR IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS.  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.  Deletes a provision
regarding contracting with the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.  Defines
"criminal justice agency." 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.