Message - June 15, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTIETH TEXAS LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION:

Pursuant to Article IV, Sections 14 and 15 of the Texas Constitution, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove and veto House Bill No. 2990 of the 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

House Bill No. 2990 directs the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to include an electronic monitoring and tracking system to monitor the physical location and safety of inmates, employees, third-party vendors, and visitors in any correctional facility designed and built after September 1, 2007.

While I believe that an electronic monitoring and tracking system has merit, I do not believe it should be required by law, especially when funds were not specifically appropriated as part of the bond funds that the TDCJ may be able to utilize for prison construction, if approved by the voters.

A better approach is to have the TDCJ evaluate how an electronic monitoring and tracking system might improve its operations and safety as part of the construction design process. I direct the Texas Board of Criminal Justice to ensure that this evaluation occurs.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this the 15th day of June, 2007.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

ATTESTED BY:
ROGER WILLIAMS
Secretary of State