Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB786 by Meza (Relating to a report by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on dyslexia and illiteracy among inmates.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB786, As Introduced : a negative impact of ($5,171,152) through the biennium ending August 31, 2025.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2024
($5,171,152)
2025
$0
2026
$0
2027
$0
2028
$0
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2024
($5,171,152)
2025
$0
2026
$0
2027
$0
2028
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to conduct a study identifying incidences of illiteracy and dyslexia among the total incarcerated population and develop and provide recommendations to the Legislature on how to address these issues.
There would be a significant fiscal impact for TDCJ as the agency does not currently have the staff capable of conducting such a study. TDCJ currently does not screen for dyslexia and indicates that they would contract with the Windham School District for the completion of this study.
Methodology
Based upon information provided by TDCJ, this analysis presumes the need for 98 additional FTEs at the Windham School District to screen and assess inmates for dyslexia at a cost of $4,682,617 in General Revenue, and that an additional $488,535 in General Revenue would be needed to cover the purchase of testing supplies.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.