Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
A supplemental appropriations bill Part 4
A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of 88th Legislature Laws
The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.
Blog Summary
SB 30 Part 4 This blog deals with supplemental and reduction in appropriations for Public Safety and Criminal Justice; and Natural Resources; and Business and Economic DevelopmentA supplemental appropriations bill Part 4
Published: 2024-07-26
SB 30 Part 4
Supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations for Public Safety and Criminal Justice
The appropriation of $237,200,000 ($237.2 million) for the purpose of correctional security operations, staffing adjustments, resumption of services at the Bradshaw State Jail, and other agency operations expenses.
The appropriation of $141,770,885 (over $141.7 million) for the purpose of correctional managed health care with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The appropriation of $23,762,000 ($23.762 million) for the purpose of addressing previously deferred maintenance of correctional facilities' security through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The appropriation of $35,000,000 ($35 million) for the purpose of constructing a training facility on land owned by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The appropriation of $600,000 for the purpose of implementing HB2352, relating to an educational and vocational training pilot program to assist certain offenders in finding jobs on release from incarceration or community supervision. This is through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. And I would say funds well spent if it helps, and it should, prevent recidivism.
The appropriation of $47,300,000 ($47.3 million) for the purpose of supporting the border security deployment for Operation Lone Star through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The appropriation of $15,173,886 (over $15.1 million) for the purpose of reimbursing counties for the costs of holding juveniles for whom the Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not have adequate capacity. This sounds like a problem looking for a longer term solution - at least possibly.
It will permit the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to appropriate from their funding the following:
- An amount not to exceed $2,331,849 (over $2.3 million) to Halfway House Operations;
- An amount not to exceed $1,751,693 (over $1.7 million) to Contract Residential Placements;
The appropriation of $3,000,000 ($3 million) for the purpose of an equine facility through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations for Natural Resources
It amends the existing appropriations to include any additional revenues generated from cost recovery fees for the 2 years beginning 9/1/21 being appropriated to site remediation and cleanups from the Hazardous and Solid Waste account. It also takes $3,755,606 (over $3.7 million) from Hazardous and Solid Waste to site remediation and cleanups. (Wish they said how much that is in total rather than leaving it this vague because I would think they would know the actual numbers.)
The appropriation of $541,000 to the Railroad Commission for the purpose of implementing rule changes required by the US Department of Transportation and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
The appropriation of $125,000,000 ($125 million) to the Parks and Wildlife Department for the purpose acquiring real property for use as state parks.
The appropriation of $624,949,080 (over $624.9 million) for the purpose of flood infrastructure funding. The projects may include drainage, flood mitigation, or flood control. The appropriation of $51,132,249 for the purpose of the Clean Water State Revolving fund. The appropriation of $73,918,671 for the purpose of the Drinking Water State Revolving fund. This last 2 appropriations are meant ot allow the Water Development Board to draw down matching federal funds for the projects.
The appropriation of $1,501,282 (over $1.5 million) to the Water Development Board for data center services.
The Commission on Environmental Quality has an increase of $415,000 to purchase 3 ethylene oxide gas analyzers, peripheral equipment and supplies.
The appropriation of $25,000,000 ($25 million) to the Parks and Wildlife Department for the purpose of making a grant to benefit the Battleship Texas.
The appropriation of $1,000,000,000 ($1 BILLION) to the Texas Water fund since SB 28 passed. I have not yet reviewed and blogged on SB 28.
The appropriation of $1,000,000 ($1 million) to the Department of Agriculture for the Brighter Bites program. This appears to be a food program in Dallas, Austin and Houston (as well as out of state locations) that has a multitude of corporate supporters to the program. I'm not sure why the state of Texas is putting taxpayer funds here as well since they have such a large number of corporate sponsors.
Supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations for Business and Economic Development
This bill repealed sections of the prior appropriations act.
The appropriation of $200,000,000 ($200 million) is transferred to the port access account for the maritime port capital improvement projects.
The appropriation of $1,589,218 (over $1.5 million) for use by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for Information Resources. This seems like a large amount of money considering that the last time I renewed my license things already seemed completely set up digitally. Although I thought it was excessively annoying to attempt to schedule a renewal appointment anywhere near where you might live, it was all digital.
The appropriation of $727,167 for the Texas Racing Commission for the following purposes:
- $457,568 for salary shortfalls;
- $269,600 for Information Resources to set up an SQL Server administration, Oracle data file transition, and legal files interim solution implementation, installation, hardware, and software requirements, including 2 contract staff
The appropriation of $1,000,000 ($1 million) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for providing youth and young adult homeless housing and services through a contract for services or otherwise in Fort Bend County.
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