SRC-DPW C.S.S.B. 1514 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1514 76R11229 PEP-DBy: Ogden Criminal Justice 4/6/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) 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, C.S.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 the heading of Section 223.004, 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 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 233.044, Transportation Code, to amend the section heading. SECTION 2. Amends Section 223.044(a), Transportation Code, to authorize the commission to authorize 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. Deletes a definition of "criminal justice agency."