LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

Revision 1

March 11, 2005

TO:	Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HJR56 by Gattis (Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail to a criminal defendant who violates a condition of the defendant's release pending trial.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, other than the cost of publication.

The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $66,497.

The resolution would require that a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail in certain circumstances be included on the ballot in an election to be held November 8, 2005.

Local Government Impact

If the voters adopt the constitutional amendment, the number of persons denied bail may increase as a result of implementing the provisions of the amendment, which would increase the number of people incarcerated in county jail awaiting trial. According to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the average cost per person per day for incarceration in a county jail is $36. The negative fiscal impact would vary by county.

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

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, DLBa