LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 7, 2003

TO:
Honorable Ray Allen, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2928 by Lewis (Relating to the composition and operations of parole panels.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2928, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($4,452,434) through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 ($2,226,217)
2005 ($2,226,217)
2006 ($2,226,217)
2007 ($2,226,217)
2008 ($2,226,217)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003
2004 ($2,226,217) 18.0
2005 ($2,226,217) 18.0
2006 ($2,226,217) 18.0
2007 ($2,226,217) 18.0
2008 ($2,226,217) 18.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Government Code by requiring parole panels to interview an inmate before releasing an inmate to parole.  Under current law, the parole panel has the option of having the inmate appear before the panel for an interview.  The bill would also require parole panels to be composed of five persons.  Under current law, parole panels consist of three persons.   Finally, the bill allows the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to make the inmate available to the panel in any manner determined to be appropriate by the panel. 

 

The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.


Methodology

For fiscal year 2002, eighteen (18) board members interviewed 4,500 inmates out of a total of 65,000 inmates considered for release.  Although the bill does not establish additional board members, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice estimates that the Board of Pardons and Paroles would need eighteen (18) additional board members to conduct interviews under the provisions of the bill.  The current yearly salary for board members is $83,200 per year.  Travel expenses for board members related to interviewing inmates are estimated at $302,400 per year.  Benefits are estimated at $426,217 per year. 

 

After five years of cumulative impact, fiscal implications will continue as long as the provisions of the bill are implemented


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
696 Department of Criminal Justice
LBB Staff:
JK, JO, WK, VDS, GG