BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3440
86R20232 JG-F	By: Capriglione et al. (Whitmire)
	Criminal Justice
	5/16/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

It has been suggested that the process by which the Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) collects data is outdated and inefficient. Because there is no format standardization, counties submit required monthly reports in a variety of formats ranging from PDFs to handwritten documents, forcing TCJS employees to enter data into their system by hand. H.B. 3440 seeks to promote efficiency by requiring TCJS to establish a system for the electronic submission of forms, data, and documents.

H.B. 3440 amends current law relating to the electronic submission of forms, data, and documents to the Commission on Jail Standards and imposes a fee.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards in SECTION 1 (Section 511.0104, Government Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 511, Government Code, by adding Section 511.0104, as follows:

Sec. 511.0104. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF FORMS, DATA, AND DOCUMENTS. (a) Requires the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) to establish a system for the electronic submission of forms, data, and documents required to be submitted to TCJS under this chapter (Commission on Jail Standards) or a rule adopted under this chapter.

(b) Requires a person, except as provided by Subsection (c), to submit all forms, data, or documents described by Subsection (a) to TCJS through the system established under that subsection and in a standardized electronic format prescribed by TCJS.

(c) Authorizes TCJS to allow a person to submit the forms, data, or documents described by Subsection (a) in a nonelectronic format. Requires TCJS to set and collect a reasonable fee to cover the cost of processing the forms, data, or documents.

(d) Authorizes TCJS to adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019. �