Bill
SB 589
84(R) - 2015
Senate Criminal Justice
Senate Criminal Justice
Companion Bill
HB 1546
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Neutral
-
Neutral
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Neutral
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Positive
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Positive
Author(s)
José Rodríguez
Co-Author(s)
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Bill Caption
Relating to the award of diligent participation credit to defendants confined in a state jail felony facility.
Fiscal Notes
This bill is projected to have a positive impact of $81,345,273 through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.
Bill Analysis
SB 589 would require that judges credit time served diligently participating in any educational, vocational, treatment, or work program towards a defendant’s sentence. This bill would stipulate that the credit may not exceed one-fifth of the defendant’s original sentence.
Vote Recommendation Notes
SB 589 is the least restrictive way to address the high cost of state spending on corrections. This bill would decrease the public cost of corrections in a very balanced way that does not allow convicts to game the system and reduce their sentences by an unreasonable amount. We support this bill for promoting individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government.
We also support the House companion bill HB 1546.
Organizations Supporting
Mental Health America of Texas
Texas Association of Business
Texas Association of Goodwills
Texas Public Policy Foundation