Honorable Tan Parker, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2734 by White (Relating to the establishment of the Texas State Jail Committee to study and make recommendations concerning the state jail system.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2734, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($531,363) through the biennium ending August 31, 2015.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2014
($382,923)
2015
($148,440)
2016
$0
2017
$0
2018
$0
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2013
2014
($382,923)
3.0
2015
($148,440)
3.0
2016
$0
0.0
2017
$0
0.0
2018
$0
0.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to establish the Texas State Jail Committee (“Committee”).
The bill would require the composition of the Committee to be ten members as specified in the bill’s provisions. While the bill does not specifically address member compensation, it is assumed a member of the Committee would serve without compensation for service.
The bill would authorize the Committee to employ staff or contract for necessary assistance in carrying out the Committee’s duties.
The bill would require the Committee to provide objective research, analysis, and recommendations to help guide state policies and practices related to state jails. The Committee would be required to use statistical analyses and other research methods to conduct an in-depth examination of the state jail system. The Committee would be required to make recommendations and assist the Legislature in developing plans, programs, and proposed legislation to improve the efficacy of the state jail system.
The bill would require the Committee to submit a report to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Legislature, and Governor no later than January 1, 2015.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in each house, otherwise the bill would take effect September 1, 2013. The bill would abolish the Committee on February 1, 2015.
Methodology
Under the provisions of the bill, the Committee must meet not less than six times. The bill does not provide authorization for a Committee member to be compensated for service nor be entitled to reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses.
Regarding the employment of Committee staff, this analysis assumes the Committee would hire a full-time Director as of September 1, 2013, who would subsequently hire two full-time staff (Research Specialist V and Administrative Assistant III) for 10 months of fiscal year 2014 ($292,923 in personnel and operating costs) and for six months of fiscal year 2015 ($148,440 in personnel and operating costs). It is assumed contracting expenses for research purposes would cost approximately $90,000 for fiscal year 2014 only.
The total estimated cost to implement the provisions of the bill would be $382,923 in fiscal year 2014 and $148,440 for the first six months of fiscal year 2015.
Technology
Technology costs are estimated to be $3,000 in fiscal year 2014 for personal computers and related software.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
301 Office of the Governor, 696 Department of Criminal Justice