LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session March 19, 2001 TO: Honorable Pat Haggerty, Chair, House Committee on Corrections FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB2015 by Garcia (Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to build or contract for the construction of a secure correctional facility.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Fundsfor * * HB2015, As Introduced: a negative impact of $(146,873) through the * * biennium ending August 31, 2003. * * * * The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal * * basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of * * the bill. * ************************************************************************** The following table assumes an effective date of July 1, 2001. All Funds, Five-Year Impact: *************************************************************************** *Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Change in Number of State * * Year General Revenue Fund Employees from FY 2000 * * 0001 * * 2001 $(8,380) 0.0 * * 2002 (74,655) 1.0 * * 2003 (63,838) 1.0 * * 2004 (83,271) 1.0 * * 2005 (75,036) 1.0 * *************************************************************************** The following table assumes an effective date of September 1, 2001. *************************************************************************** *Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Change in Number of State * * Year General Revenue Fund Employees from FY 2001 * * 0001 * * 2002 $(83,035) 1.0 * * 2003 (63,838) 1.0 * * 2004 (83,271) 1.0 * * 2005 (75,036) 1.0 * * 2006 0 1.0 * *************************************************************************** Technology Impact Estimated equipment and operating costs include $8,380 for computer equipment, printer, LAN connections and programming. Fiscal Analysis The bill would place a moratorium on the construction of secure correctional facilities by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) until September 1, 2005. The bill would also require the Criminal Justice Policy Council (CJPC) to submit special reports to the Legislature that focus on projected capacity and populations and the success of programs and services offered by TDCJ with the primary purpose of rehabilitating inmates. The report must also contain CJPC recommendations on rehabilitation programs currently not provided in Texas which show the most promise for both reducing recidivism and protecting public safety. These reports would have to be more detailed than the reports currently required by statute. The sections created by the bill would expire September 1, 2005. The bill would take effect July 1, 2001 if it receives a two-thirds vote of all members in each house. If not, the bill would take effect September 1, 2001. Methodology The moratorium on the construction of secure correctional facilities is estimated to have no significant fiscal impact since there are currently no plans to construct additional correctional facilities. One additional full-time-equivalent position would be needed to meet the increased reporting requirements for the CJPC. The estimated cost is based on a Planner IV position (B13). Other costs include professional services to aid in data collection ($15,000 in fiscal years 2002 and 2004), equipment, operating costs and benefits (28.28 percent of salary costs). For the scenario beginning July 1, 2001, only equipment costs associated with the position, totaling $8,380, have been included in the first year. It is assumed that the new position would not be filled until September 1, 2001. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 410 Criminal Justice Policy Council, 696 Texas Department of Criminal Justice LBB Staff: JK, JC, VS