Honorable James White, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3720 by Neave (Relating to minimum compensation for inmates participating in certain work programs.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3720, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($63,006,840) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.
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
2020
($31,503,420)
2021
($31,503,420)
2022
($31,503,420)
2023
($31,503,420)
2024
($31,503,420)
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2020
($31,503,420)
2021
($31,503,420)
2022
($31,503,420)
2023
($31,503,420)
2024
($31,503,420)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Government Code as it relates to the labor and pay of offenders incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The bill would require TDCJ to set pay levels at a minimum of $1 per day of work. According to TDCJ, the fiscal impact to implement the provisions of the bill would be approximately $31,503,420 in General Revenue per fiscal year.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2019.
Methodology
According to TDCJ, there are currently 121,167 offenders assigned duties related to agriculture, industry, maintenance, food services, laundry, and other forms of unit and agency support and that each offender works approximately five days per week. Assuming a rate of $1 per day, five days per week, 52 weeks per fiscal year, the fiscal impact would be $31,503,420 in General Revenue per fiscal year. However, the fiscal impact would vary based on the number of offenders participating in work programs.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.