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.