BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2581 89R18928 JBD-D By: Hancock Criminal Justice 4/11/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT As directed by Section 351.0415, Local Government Code, commissary accounts are used to fund various eligible projects, programs, or personal items for inmates. Sheriffs have discretion to use funds for these purposes. This statute also requires commissary accounts to be audited at least once per fiscal year, if the jail is under supervision of the sheriff. Commissioners courts are authorized to request more frequent audits, if desired. In 2001, the legislature passed H.B. 1890, which created a population bracket to target control over the commissary account of one sheriff in TexasTarrant County. Since then, Dallas County has also been captured by the bracket language, due to population growth. S.B. 2581 seeks to restore uniformity across Texas for sheriffs' oversight of commissary accounts by repealing the population bracket. As proposed, S.B. 2581 amends current law relating to the repeal of a provision governing the operation of jail commissaries in certain counties. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Repealer: Section 351.04155 (Commissary Operation by Sheriff in Certain Counties), Local Government Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2581
89R18928 JBD-D By: Hancock
Criminal Justice
4/11/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2581
89R18928 JBD-D
By: Hancock
Criminal Justice
4/11/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As directed by Section 351.0415, Local Government Code, commissary accounts are used to fund various eligible projects, programs, or personal items for inmates. Sheriffs have discretion to use funds for these purposes. This statute also requires commissary accounts to be audited at least once per fiscal year, if the jail is under supervision of the sheriff. Commissioners courts are authorized to request more frequent audits, if desired.
In 2001, the legislature passed H.B. 1890, which created a population bracket to target control over the commissary account of one sheriff in TexasTarrant County. Since then, Dallas County has also been captured by the bracket language, due to population growth.
S.B. 2581 seeks to restore uniformity across Texas for sheriffs' oversight of commissary accounts by repealing the population bracket.
As proposed, S.B. 2581 amends current law relating to the repeal of a provision governing the operation of jail commissaries in certain counties.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Repealer: Section 351.04155 (Commissary Operation by Sheriff in Certain Counties), Local Government Code.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.