Committee clears bill removing $100 cap on DOC release transportation and urging nonprofit coordination

The Community Safety, Justice & Reentry Committee voted to report out engrossed substitute Senate Bill 50-29 with a due-pass recommendation, removing a statutory limit that had required release transportation to be the least expensive public method costing $100 or less and reaffirming that DOC must deliver people to an authorized location within Washington.

The measure changes Department of Corrections (DOC) requirements for people released or transferred from total confinement. Under the bill summary presented to the committee, the prior requirement that release transportation be the least expensive method of public transportation costing $100 or less is removed; transportation is limited to an authorized location within the state unless otherwise required. The motion to report the bill was made during executive session and the committee chair recorded the bill as reported with all members voting in the affirmative.

Why it matters: supporters said the change addresses real safety concerns for people exiting confinement. The committee discussion emphasized ensuring people are not left “out in the middle of the street 2 in the morning” and signaled legislative intent that DOC work with nonprofit groups to arrange safe arrivals.

Committee debate and remarks highlighted operational intent rather than new funding formulas. Representative Griffey said he supported the bill but would prefer stronger language requiring DOC to make sure “once you exit, you're gonna — we're gonna take you where you have to go, where your exit plan says you're going to go,” adding, “I don't care how much it costs.” The committee chair and others said the bill lifts a restriction and promotes cooperative arrangements between DOC and community providers.

Outcome and next steps: staff noted no amendments were pending at the time of the motion. The committee recorded a unanimous affirmative vote; the chair stated, “let the record reflect that all members are present and all members are voting in the affirmative,” and reported the bill out with a due-pass recommendation.

Clarifying details and limitations: the bill text as summarized focuses on the statutory transport requirement (removing the $100 cap and limiting transport to an authorized in-state location) and requires cooperation with nonprofits; it does not specify a funding source in committee discussion. No specific implementation timeline or appropriation was described during the executive-session remarks.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after reporting the bill.