TO: | Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice |
FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board |
IN RE: | SB1033 by Ellis (Relating to the creation of a commission to investigate and prevent wrongful convictions.), As Introduced |
Fiscal Year | Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds |
---|---|
2006 | ($258,748) |
2007 | ($239,098) |
2008 | ($239,098) |
2009 | ($239,098) |
2010 | ($239,098) |
Fiscal Year | Probable Savings/(Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1 |
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2005 |
---|---|---|
2006 | ($258,748) | 3.0 |
2007 | ($239,098) | 3.0 |
2008 | ($239,098) | 3.0 |
2009 | ($239,098) | 3.0 |
2010 | ($239,098) | 3.0 |
The bill would establish a Texas Innocence Commission to investigate and prevent wrongful convictions in Texas. The commission would be able to enter into contracts for research services necessary to complete the investigation of a particular case, including forensic testing and autopsies, and is required to compile a detailed annual report of its findings and recommendations. The report must be made available to the public on request. The nine members of the commission would not receive compensation, but would be entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses incurred while conducting official commission business. The Texas Legislative Council, the Legislative Budget Board, and the University of Texas at Austin would be required to assist the commission in performing the commission's duties. The commission would be a permanent governmental entity rather than a temporary investigative body. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005 and the appointments to the Texas Innocence Commission would be made not later than the 60th day after September 1, 2005.
Estimated costs are $16,125 in fiscal year 2006 for computer equipment, printers, LAN connections and programming to support additional staff.
Source Agencies: | 103 Legislative Council, 720 The University of Texas System Administration
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LBB Staff: | JOB, BT, VDS, GG, KJG
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