HBA-NMO H.B. 275 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 275
By: West, George
Corrections
2/10/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, certain inmates of the institutional division have access to
weight-lifting equipment, television, and radio.  H.B. 275 prohibits the
institutional division from providing certain inmates access to the
recreational use of weight-lifting equipment, television, and radio.  This
bill also places stipulations on the use of general revenue appropriations
by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice regarding recreational
equipment.        

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, by adding
Section 501.018, as follows: 

Sec.  501.018.  RECREATIONAL AMENITIES.  (a) Prohibits the institutional
division from allowing an inmate classified as subject to close custody or
administrative segregation, other than administrative segregation level I
protective custody, access to weight-lifting equipment or accessories other
than in connection with physician-recommended physical therapy, or use of a
television or radio other than in connection with a work, educational, or
vocational activity. 

(b) Authorizes the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to use money
appropriated from the general revenue fund to pay the cost of purchasing or
maintaining recreational equipment to be used by an inmate confined in the
institutional division only if the money is appropriated out of the
receipts deposited from the education and recreation fund or if the
equipment is used exclusively in connection with physician-recommended
physical therapy or a work, educational, or vocational activity. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.