LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 24, 2005

TO:	Honorable Ray Allen, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB549 by Phillips (Relating to prohibiting the introduction of certain items in certain local jails. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would prohibit providing a cellular telephone or money to a person confined in a local jail regulated by the Commission on Jail Standards. The bill would also prohibit providing cigarettes or tabacco products to a person confined in a local jail that is regulated by the Commission on Jail Standards and that has an ordinance or order in place that prohibits those items. Providing any of the listed contraband would be a third degree felony offense. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the required two-thirds vote in both houses; otherwise, it would take effect on September 1, 2005.

The fiscal impact would depend on the number of persons caught and convicted of the offense. The number of court procedings and incarceration rates as a result of the provisions of the bill are not expected to be impacted significantly.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, DLBa