LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 6, 2005

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB548 by Ellis (Relating to the manner in which the Board of Pardons and Paroles performs duties related to clemency in capital cases.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB548, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($883,218) 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.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2006	($441,609)
2007	($441,609)
2008	($441,609)
2009	($441,609)
2010	($441,609)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable (Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2005
2006	($441,609)	7.0
2007	($441,609)	7.0
2008	($441,609)	7.0
2009	($441,609)	7.0
2010	($441,609)	7.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Government Code to require the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles to meet in person to perform the members' duties in clemency matters for capital cases. The bill would take effect immediately if receiving a vote of two-thirds of all members of each house, or September 1, 2005. 

Methodology

The Board of Pardons and Paroles estimates that implementing the bill would require seven new full-time equivalent positions. The seven full-time positions would be: two parole commissioners with an annual salary of $75,000 each; one Attorney VI with an annual salary of $65,352; one Program Administrator III position with an annual salary of $37,332; and three Administrative Technician IV positions with an annual salary of $29,232 each.  The salary total of $340,380, plus the cost of benefits, $101,229 (340,380 X 29.74%) equals the total annual cost of the bill of $441,609. 

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

696 Department of Criminal Justice

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, VDS, AM