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.