House Committee on Corrections

Committee Leadership

Chair

Sam Harless (R)

House District 126

Spring

Vice Chair

Venton Jones (D)

House District 110

Dallas

Committee Composition

Committee Membership

Harless, Sam (R) House District 126 Spring Jones, Venton (D) House District 110 Dallas Allen, Alma (D) House District 131 Houston Harrison, Brian (R) House District 10 Midlothian Lowe, David (R) House District 91 North Richland Hills Lozano, J.M. (R) House District 43 Kingsville Meza, Terry (D) House District 105 Irving Schatzline, Nate (R) House District 93 Fort Worth Wharton, Trey (R) House District 12 Huntsville

Most Recent Session Activity

Metrics reflect activity during the most recent legislative session.

Interim Charges

• Monitoring: Monitor the implementation and associated rulemaking of all legislation passed by the Committee and enacted by the 89th Legislature, including the following:
  • SB 1080, relating to the revocation of an occupational license from certain license holders and the issuance of an occupational license to certain applicants with criminal convictions; and
  • SB 2405, relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and to the functions of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee, the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, and the Windham School District.
• Investigating and Prosecuting Criminal Offenses Within TDCJ Facilities: Study the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses committed within Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) facilities, including assault, organized criminal activity, contraband-related violations, and other offenses. Examine the roles, authority, and coordination among the TDCJ Office of Inspector General, the Special Prosecution Unit, and local prosecutors in investigating, charging, and prosecuting these offenses. Review trends in facility-based criminal activity and identify barriers that hinder effective investigation and prosecution.
• Evaluating Texas Correctional Industries Workforce and Procurement Programs: Examine the role of Texas Correctional Industries (TCI) in providing vocational training and workforce skills that support successful reentry. Review statutory requirements for public entities to purchase TCI goods and services, including waiver processes, and identify barriers affecting workforce training, program effectiveness, and procurement practices. Make recommendations to improve workforce development, accountability, and efficient use of state resources.
• Agency Oversight: Monitor the agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction, including for fraud, waste, and abuse, where applicable. The jurisdiction of the Corrections Committee includes the following agencies:
  • The Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
  • The Special Prosecution Unit;
  • The Board of Pardons and Paroles;
  • The Texas Civil Commitment Office; and
  • The Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments.