LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 75th Regular Session March 20, 1997 TO: Honorable Allen Hightower, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 1386, Committee Report 1st House, as amended Committee on Corrections By: Gray House Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB1386 ( Relating to the continuation and the functions of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.) this office has detemined the following: Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB1386-Committee Report 1st House, as amended Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net negative impact of $(144,526) to General Revenue Related Funds through the biennium ending August 31, 1999. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide for reviewing the Board of Pardons and Paroles in the same review period as the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, currently scheduled for review in time for the 1999 legislative session. In addition, the bill would establish a six-member Parole Policy Board within the existing membership of the Board of Pardons and Paroles that would be responsible for developing rules for parole and other policy decisions and hiring a board administrator to carry out the day-to-day activities of the Board. The bill would also require the Policy Board to develop an enhanced training curriculum for all newly hired hearing officers and an annual training update for all hearing officers. The bill would take effect September 1, 1997. Methodolgy The Board of Pardons and Paroles is subject to the provisions of the Texas Sunset Act, but is not abolished under that chapter. Funding for the Board is included in the appropriation for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the General Appropriations Act, as introduced. The appropriations would be financed from the General Revenue Fund and would provide $5,949,492 annually for fiscal years 1998 and 1999, providing for 157 employees. The bill would require the hiring of a board administrator to assume the day-to-day responsibilities of the Board. Based on the current salary levels for the Board's general counsel and director of hearings, this board administrator's position is expected to have an annual cost of $72,263 for salary, benefits, and supplies. The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage is estimated as follows: Five Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Change in Number Savings/(Cost) of State from General Employees from Revenue Fund FY 1997 0001 1998 ($72,263) 1.0 1998 (72,263) 1.0 2000 (72,263) 1.0 2001 (72,263) 1.0 2002 (72,263) 1.0 Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds: The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds during each of the first five years is estimated as follows: Fiscal Year Probable Net Postive/(Negative) General Revenue Related Funds Funds 1998 ($72,263) 1999 (72,263) 2000 (72,263) 2001 (72,263) 2002 (72,263) Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source: Agencies: 116 Sunset Advisory Commission 696 Department of Criminal Justice LBB Staff: JK ,CB ,JN