AN ACT
 1-1     relating to contracts for the use of inmate labor and the labor of
 1-2     persons placed on community supervision for state highway system
 1-3     improvement and brush control projects.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 223.044, Transportation
 1-6     Code, is amended to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 223.044.  INMATE [OR PROBATIONER] LABOR OR LABOR OF
 1-8     PERSONS PLACED ON COMMUNITY SUPERVISION FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
 1-9           SECTION 2.  Subsections (a) and (b), Section 223.044,
1-10     Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
1-11           (a)  The commission may authorize the department to contract
1-12     with [and] a criminal justice agency or a private correctional
1-13     facility [may contract] for the provision of inmate [or
1-14     probationer] labor or the labor of persons placed on community
1-15     supervision for a state highway system improvement project.
1-16           (b)  A [The] contract with a criminal justice agency must be
1-17     made in conformity with Chapter 771, Government Code.
1-18           SECTION 3.  Section 223.044, Transportation Code, is amended
1-19     by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
1-20           (d)  A contract with a private correctional facility under
1-21     this section may not provide for the transfer of public funds to
1-22     the private correctional facility for the use of inmate labor.
1-23           SECTION 4.  Section 223.044, Transportation Code, is amended
1-24     by adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:
 2-1           (e)  The commission may authorize the department to contract
 2-2     with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the provision of
 2-3     inmate labor or the labor of persons placed on community
 2-4     supervision for a brush control project, as defined by Section
 2-5     203.001, Agriculture Code, on an area located on or adjacent to a
 2-6     state highway system improvement project.
 2-7           (f)  The State Soil and Water Conservation Board may also
 2-8     enter into a contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
 2-9     for the provision of inmate labor or the labor of persons placed on
2-10     community supervision to perform a brush control project described
2-11     by Subsection (e) or under Chapter 203, Agriculture Code.
2-12           SECTION 5.  The importance of this legislation and the
2-13     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-14     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-15     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-16     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-17     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-18     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1514 passed the Senate on
         April 19, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that
         the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 25, 1999, by the
         following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1514 passed the House, with
         amendments, on May 23, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                     Date
         _______________________________
                   Governor