LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 16, 2007

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB47 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 Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code so that the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) may establish a policy to provide in-cell education to an inmate confined in administrative segregation.  The policy would apply if the inmate would benefit from the education and if the education can be provided to the inmate in a way that does not pose a threat to the health or safety of department staff, members, or other inmates.  TDCJ could implement the provisions of the bill without the construction of additional facilities.  The agency estimates implementation would require additional institutional aide positions, test examiner positions, and supplies at a total annual cost of $2,736,782 to the Windham School District (Texas Education Agency). TDCJ has determined that since the bill is permissive, the cost of implementing the bill would not be significant.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

696 Department of Criminal Justice

LBB Staff:

JOB, ES, GG, SDO