The bill amends various sections of the Government Code to modify the approval process for community supervision and corrections departments' budgets and strategic plans. Specifically, it changes the language regarding the responsibilities of judges in relation to budgetary decisions, shifting from an approval role to a review role. Judges will now review the department's budget and strategic plan only after the division has approved them. Additionally, the bill establishes that departments must submit their budgets and strategic plans to the division for approval as a condition for receiving state aid.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new requirement for departments to submit their budgets and strategic plans every even-numbered year by March 1, with the possibility of amending these documents at any time with the division's approval. The heading of Section 509.007 is also updated to reflect the focus on department budgets and strategic plans. The changes aim to streamline the budget approval process and ensure that departments are accountable to the division while still allowing for necessary oversight by the judges. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 76.002, Government Code 76.0045, Government Code 509.004, Government Code 509.007 (Government Code 76, Government Code 509)