Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1544 by Allen (Relating to the authority of a county to contract with a private vendor for the operation of a detention facility. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to remove the option for a county with a population of 2.8 million or more to either ensure that all contract services meet or exceed standards set by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS), or receive the written approval of the sheriff prior to entering into certain contracts. Under the provisions bill, all counties would be required to do both.
Local Government Impact
There could be a fiscal impact to counties that would be required to meet or exceed required TCJS standards and receive the written approval of the sheriff; however, the amounts would vary depending on current procedures.