Honorable Jerry Madden, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1529 by Hodge (Relating to the provision of educational services to certain inmates imprisoned in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1529, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($4,545,672) through the biennium ending August 31, 2007.
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
2006
($2,272,836)
2007
($2,272,836)
2008
($2,272,836)
2009
($2,272,836)
2010
($2,272,836)
Fiscal Year
Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2005
2006
($2,272,836)
74.0
2007
($2,272,836)
74.0
2008
($2,272,836)
74.0
2009
($2,272,836)
74.0
2010
($2,272,836)
74.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to allow the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to establish a policy to provide in-cell education to prisoners confined in administrative segregation. The policy would be implemented only if the inmate would benefit from the education and the education can be provided in a manner that poses no safety threat to an inmate or employee. The bill would take effect immediately if receiving a vote of two-thirds of all members of each house, or September 1, 2005.
Methodology
TDCJ reports that 74 full-time equivalents would be required by the Windham School District to implement in-cell education for prisoners confined in administrative segregation, with 46 being Institutional Aide positions and 28 being Test Examiner positions. All 74 new employees would be considered Administrative Technician II positions, with an annual pay of $23,674. Benefits calculated at 29.74 percent would add $7,040 annually, for a total cost per position of $30,714. The total annual cost to implement in-cell education to prisoners in administrative segregation would be $2,272,836 (74 positions X annual cost per position of $30,714).
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.