Bill Caption

Relating to procedures for certain persons charged with a violation of a condition of release from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on parole or to mandatory supervision.

Fiscal Notes

There would be cost savings to counties due to reduced jail populations.

The savings to a county would depend on the number of individuals given a summons under the provisions of the bill. Harris County reported an estimate of 60 inmates of the county jail population would qualify for a summons under the bill.The county estimated a savings of $1.62 million in fiscal year 2016.

According to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the average cost for an inmate in a county jail is $60.01 per day.

Bill Analysis

HB 710 would allow low-level offenders on parole or mandatory supervision to be summoned to a hearing rather than be placed under arrest for a technical violation of their parole or for certain misdemeanor offenses unconnected to the original violation for which they were placed on community supervision, provided that the new violation is alleged to have occurred more than one year after first being placed on community supervision.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 710 would allow police to focus on investigating crimes rather than serving warrants for minor violations. HB 710 would also reduce the taxpayers' financial liability by not placing these low-level offenders immediately in jail. Furthermore, defendants subject to this legislation would be able to continue maintaining responsibility for themselves and their families by not sitting in jail waiting for their case to be adjudicated. We support this bill for promoting limited government, individual liberty, and personal responsibility.