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
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* 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. *
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The following table assumes an effective date of July 1, 2001.
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
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*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 *
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The following table assumes an effective date of September 1, 2001.
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*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 *
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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