Honorable James White, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1621 by White (Relating to the establishment of a public junior college district by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.), As Introduced
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time because the fiscal impact would be dependent on the number of enrolled offenders and the number of courses offered.
The bill would amend the Education Code to authorize the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to establish a public junior college district to provide services to offenders incarcerated in TDCJ facilities. The bill would require the development of certain educational and vocational training programs as well as certain goal sand duties, as outlined in the bill. The bill would require the disclosure of certain information relating to certification and licensure for vocational programs. The bill would subject the district to the Texas Sunset Act.
According to TDCJ, the fiscal impact of the bill cannot be determined. TDCJ currently contracts with several colleges and coordinates with Windham School District to provide educational and vocational programs to incarcerated offenders. The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time because the fiscal impact would be dependent on the number of enrolled offenders and the number of courses offered.
According to State Office of Administration Hearings, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
According to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, existing junior college districts may receive decreased formula funding allocations. The Texas Association of Community Colleges indicates that Community Colleges that currently offer courses at correctional facilities may see a decrease in contact hour funding.
Source Agencies:
116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 320 Texas Workforce Commission, 360 State Office of Administrative Hearings, 405 Department of Public Safety, 696 Department of Criminal Justice, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board