Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1245 by Wray (Relating to changing the eligibility of inmates convicted of certain intoxication offenses for release on parole or mandatory supervision and to a biennial study regarding prevention of intoxication offenses.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1245, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($357,388) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
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
2016
($180,194)
2017
($177,194)
2018
($180,194)
2019
($177,194)
2020
($180,194)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2015
2016
($180,194)
2.0
2017
($177,194)
2.0
2018
($180,194)
2.0
2019
($177,194)
2.0
2020
($180,194)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend Government Code to direct the Office of the Governor to a biennial study on intoxication offenses. The bill would require the Office of the Governor to work with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety, and the Department of State Health Services to reduce alcoholism and intoxication-related offenses. The bill would require a biennial report that provides certain information and recommendations. The bill would add certain restrictions to parole eligibility for inmates serving sentences of 25 years or more for intoxication or alcoholic beverage related offenses. The bill would only apply to offenses committed after the effective date of the bill. The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Methodology
The Office of the Governor estimates two full-time equivalents (FTEs) would be required to implement the provisions of the bill (1.0 Research Specialist IV x $62,653 and 1.0 Statistician II x $54,761). Including benefits and other operating expenses, the Office of the Governor estimates the total fiscal impact of implementing the provisions of the bill would be $357,388 in the 2016-17 biennium.
Technology
The Office of the Governor estimates the technology requirements to implement the provisions of the bill would be $3,000 every other year.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
301 Office of the Governor, 405 Department of Public Safety, 537 State Health Services, Department of, 601 Department of Transportation