SRC-SLL, DPW S.B. 1514 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 1514 By: Ogden Criminal Justice 6/29/1999 Enrolled DIGEST Currently, Texas law authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to contract with a criminal justice agency for the provision of inmate or probationer labor for a state highway system improvement project, but does not allow TxDOT to contract with private prisons. This bill will allow TxDOT to contract with private correctional facilities for the provision of inmate or probation labor. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 1514 authorizes the use of inmate and probationer labor for state highway system improvement and brush control 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 the heading of Section 223.044, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 223.044. New heading: INMATE LABOR OR LABOR OF PERSONS PLACED ON COMMUNITY SUPERVISION FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. SECTION 2. Amends Sections 223.044(a) and (b), Transportation Code, to authorize the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to contract with a private correctional facility for the provision of inmate labor or the labor of persons placed on community supervision for state highway improvement projects. Requires a contract with a criminal justice agency to be made in conformity with Chapter 771, Government Code. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Amends Section 223.044, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (d), to prohibit a contract with a private correctional facility under this section from providing the transfer of public funds to the private correctional facility for the use of inmate labor. SECTION 4. Amends Section 233.044, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (e) and (f), to authorize the commission to authorize TxDOT to contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for the provision of inmate labor or the labor of persons placed on community supervision for a brush control project. Authorizes the State Soil and Water Conservation Board to enter into a contract with TDCJ for the provision of inmate labor or the labor of persons placed on community supervision to perform a brush control project. SECTION 5.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.