Honorable Jerry Madden, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3736 by McReynolds (Relating to establishing parole officer maximum caseloads.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3736, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($60,769,039) through the biennium ending August 31, 2009.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2008
($30,296,239)
2009
($30,472,800)
2010
($30,928,620)
2011
($31,853,295)
2012
($31,994,702)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1
2008
($30,296,239)
2009
($30,472,800)
2010
($30,928,620)
2011
($31,853,295)
2012
($31,994,702)
Fiscal Year
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2007
2008
625.0
2009
628.0
2010
637.0
2011
656.0
2012
660.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code by requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to adopt a policy that provides for a maximum caseload for each parole officer. The bill specifies caseload number for caseload type for each officer. The bill would change the current regular supervision caseload ratio of 75:1 to 60:1, the special needs offender program caseload ratio of 45:1 would be decreased to 35:1, the substance abuse caseload ratio of 75:1 would be decreased to 35:1, and the sex offender caseload ratio of 30:1 would be decreased to 24:1.
Methodology
Based on existing caseload ratios and projected future parole supervision populations TDCJ estimates the need for approximately $60.8 million over the biennium to implement the new maximum ratios detailed in the bill. TDCJ anticipates the need for an additional 625 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) (approximately 463 parole officers and 162 administrative support employees) to comply with the recommended caseload ratios of the bill in fiscal year 2008, with the number of positions eventually increasing to 660 by fiscal year 2012 (reflecting projected growth in the parole supervision population). The salary and benefit costs associated with the FTE increase is estimated to be $24,921,029 in fiscal year 2008, increasing to $26,318,148 by fiscal year 2012 as staffing levels increase. Other costs associated with the additional FTEs would include the rental of additional office space, office equipment, and travel expenses. These other costs associated with the additional FTEs would total $5,375,210 in fiscal year 2008 and would increase to $5,676,554 by fiscal year 2012.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.