LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 7, 2009

TO:	Honorable Jim McReynolds, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3598 by Martinez, "Mando" (Relating to the establishment of an electronic monitoring pilot program by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.), As Introduced

The probable impact of the bill cannot be determined due to the unavailability of information related to the size of the pilot program and number of participants, therefore the cost associated to implement the bill cannot be determined.

The bill would amend the Government Code requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to establish an electronic monitoring pilot program in a county with a population of more than one million and in which more than 80 percent of the population resides in a single municipality. The fiscal impact of the program would depend on the size of the pilot program and the contract award. According to TDCJ, the current EM/GPS contract price for Active GPS monitoring services is $9.95 per day. Additionally, more intensive supervision with a lower caseload ratio number would require additional parole staff.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

696 Department of Criminal Justice

LBB Staff:

JOB, ESi, GG, SDO, TP