LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 23, 2009

TO:	Honorable Jim McReynolds, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3377 by Hodge (Relating to the establishment of, departure from, and modification of certain parole guidelines and recommended parole approval rates.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require parole guidelines to include criteria that are specifically ascertainable to an individual inmate for whom a parole decision is made. The bill would require any member of the Board of Pardons and Paroles who deviates from the parole guidelines to provide in writing the specific actions an inmate must take before he/she may be reconsidered for the greatest likelihood of release on parole. The Board of Pardons and Paroles may lower a recommended parole approval rate only if the current recommended parole approval rate threatens public safety.  The bill would also allow for the update of parole guidelines based on the board's review.  If an outside expert is necessary to revise the parole guidelines, the cost to the agency would be substantial.  For this analysis it is assumed that an outside expert is not required by the bill.   

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

696 Department of Criminal Justice, 697 Board of Pardons and Paroles

LBB Staff:

JOB, ESi, GG, AI