BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 1844

By: Van de Putte

Corrections

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

S.B. 1580 enacted by the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, became effective in 2007; however, the bill, which dedicates money to the Compensation to Victims of Crime Fund (Crime Victims Fund), failed to be included in the funds consolidation bill.  Therefore, the money which would go to the Crime Victims Fund could go solely to general revenue. While the fund has not generated money yet, clarification of the legislative intent to dedicate money to the Crime Victims Fund is necessary.

 

As proposed,  S.B. 1844 amends current law relating to revenue received from the provision of pay telephone service to inmates confined in facilities operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Reenacts Section 495.025(c), Government Code, as added by Chapter 100 (S.B. 1580), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, as follows:

 

(c)  Requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to transfer 50 percent of all commissions paid to TDCJ by a vendor under this section to the compensation to victims of crime fund established by Subchapter B (Crime Victims' Compensation), Chapter 56 (Rights of Crime Victims), Code of Criminal Procedure, and the other 50 percent to the credit of the undedicated portion of the general revenue fund, except that TDCJ is required to transfer the first $10 million of the commissions collected in any given year under a contract awarded under this section to the compensation to victims of crime fund established by Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure.  Provides that this section does not reduce any appropriation to TDCJ.

 

SECTION 2.  Provides that, notwithstanding Chapter 1418 (H.B. 3107), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, money dedicated by Section 495.025(c), Government Code, as added by Chapter 100 (S.B. 1580), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, to the compensation to victims of crime fund established by Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure, is rededicated by this Act.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2009.

 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2009.