HBA-MPA H.B. 594 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 594 By: Hinojosa County Affairs 3/2/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the law states that sheriffs may use commissary proceeds to fund, staff, and equip a program addressing the social needs of the county prisoners, including an educational or recreational program, and religious or rehabilitative counseling. Sheriffs may also use commissary proceeds to supply county prisoners with clothing, writing materials, and hygiene supplies, and to establish, staff, and equip the commissary operation and library. H.B. 594 permits a sheriff to use commissary funds to purchase a vehicle for use in connection with operation of the county jail, or to expand the jail by constructing or purchasing a building, including a portable building. This will enable county sheriffs to use commissary proceeds to transport county prisoners, and will provide more space in which to conduct programs and house prisoners. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 351.0415(c), Local Government Code, to authorize a sheriff to use proceeds from a commissary in a county jail to purchase a vehicle for use in connection with the operation of the jail, or to expand the jail by constructing or purchasing a building, including a temporary building. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective as of the first day of the county's fiscal year that begins after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.