1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to the use of inmate and probationer labor for state

 1-3     highway system projects.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 223.044, Transportation Code, is amended

 1-6     to read as follows:

 1-7           Sec. 223.044. INMATE OR PROBATIONER LABOR FOR IMPROVEMENT

 1-8     PROJECTS.  (a)  The commission and a criminal justice agency may

 1-9     contract  [with the Texas Board of Criminal Justice] for the

1-10     provision of inmate or probationer labor for a state highway system

1-11     improvement project.

1-12           (b)  The contract must be made in conformity with Chapter

1-13     771, Government Code.

1-14           (c)  In this section, "criminal justice agency" includes:

1-15                 (1)  the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;

1-16                 (2)  a community supervision and corrections department

1-17     established under Chapter 76, Government Code; and

1-18                 (3)  a sheriff's department operating:

1-19                       (A)  a county farm or workhouse established under

1-20     Article 43.10, Code of Criminal Procedure; or

1-21                       (B)  a county correctional center established

1-22     under Section 351.181, Local Government Code.

1-23           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-24     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-1     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-2     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-3     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,

 2-4     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its

 2-5     passage, and it is so enacted.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 2825 was passed by the House on April

         30, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, 1 present, not

         voting.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 2825 was passed by the Senate on May

         22, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor