SRC-DPW S.B. 1514 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1514 By: Ogden Criminal Justice 3/29/1999 As Filed 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 would allow TxDOT to contract with private correctional facilities for the provision of inmate or probation labor. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1514 authorizes the use of inmate and probationer labor for state highway system improvements. 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 223.004, Transportation Code, to authorize the Texas Transportation Commission to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to contract with a private correctional facility for the provision of inmate or probationer labor 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 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.