Committee scales back capital funding for three housing-related projects, moves $2 million to cash fund B with conditions

The House Corrections Institutions Committee on Thursday, March 20, agreed to reduce the administration—s $3.1 million capital proposal for three privately developed projects to $2 million and move that sum into cash fund subaccount B, while negotiating restrictions and release conditions for the funds.

The move, made during a discussion of draft language in section 25 of the bill, is intended to keep the Appropriations Committee "harmless" and to track the appropriation within the committee—s budgeting process. Committee members said they want triggers and reporting before funds are released; administration officials warned some of those requirements could delay awards and complicate program administration.

Committee leaders said the reduced amount and the decision to house the money in cash fund B grew from a subgroup—s review. Committee members emphasized the choice was intended to avoid opening the capital bill to a broader set of smaller projects while still advancing the three developments identified by the administration.

Commissioner Alex Farrell of the Department of Housing and Community Development told…