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.