Honorable James White, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB936 by Canales (Relating to the temperature at which a facility operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is maintained.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB936, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,210,000,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2020
($570,000,000)
2021
($640,000,000)
2022
($140,000,000)
2023
($140,000,000)
2024
($140,000,000)
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2020
($570,000,000)
2021
($640,000,000)
2022
($140,000,000)
2023
($140,000,000)
2024
($140,000,000)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code to require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to maintain the temperature at each of its facilities within a specified range. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. If not, the bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Methodology
TDCJ estimates $1.0 billion in initial air conditioning construction costs to comply with the provisions of the bill. Additionally, TDCJ estimates an annual cost $140.0 million for utilities and maintenance across all facilities when fully constructed. In fiscal year 2018, the agency operated 104 correctional facilities across the state. According to TDCJ, the fiscal estimate is based on the following assumptions: the provisions of the bill would only apply to offender housing areas; a fiscal estimate for each facility would require an engineering assessment; there are a sufficient number of vendors necessary to complete the construction projects; and the electrical grid and unit infrastructure are sufficient to support the increased energy demand.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.