Corrections subcommittee approves dozen budget decision packages, asks report on inmate tablet monitoring

A montana legislative Section D subcommittee concluded executive action on the Department of Corrections budget, approving a series of decision packages that together adjust staffing, equipment and contracted rates and asking for a report on supervision of inmate tablets for the interim.

The action matters because the committee’s votes set restricted biennial funding levels and intent language that will go into House Bill 2 and companion language, and because some provisions — notably community corrections and secure-facility rate increases — affect county detention center payments and out-of-state placements.

The subcommittee approved a mix of personnel and operating requests across multiple programs. Staff briefed members on an updated budget tracker showing committee-level changes; department staff and budget office staff answered questions on several packages.

Representative Hawk pressed for follow-up on decision package DP 202, which funds security equipment and software for public-safety use of inmate tablets. Hawk said constituents were concerned about insufficient supervision around the tablets and asked for “some kind of report to the interim committee about…who’s monitoring the tablets, how are these automatic messages getting through, just kind of a breakdown and structure around how these tablets are being monitored.” Committee staff said that reporting requirements could be placed into a companion bill or House Bill 2 as intent language.

Department and budget staff explained several items while the committee moved through the package list. Mr. Hopkins, a subcommittee staffer, described the tracker and the committee’s plan to convert temporary positions approved in 2023 to permanent status and to reflect today’s changes in the final budget sheets.

Votes at a glance

- DP 175 / DP 275 / DP 375 / DP 475 — Convert previously approved modified positions to permanent: Motion to “do pass as stated in the DPs” carried by voice vote. (Amounts: not specified in transcript; approved.)

- DP 201 (recruitment & retention / employee training) — Motion moved to provide $1,200,000 biennium (half of executive request); motion carried by voice vote. (Moved by Representative Nicastro; amount stated $1,200,000 biennium.)

- DP 202 (public safety security equipment and licenses) — Motion to “do pass” for $2,450,000 biennium, restricted; motion carried by voice vote after discussion of ongoing versus one-time licensing costs. Department estimated about $800,000 ongoing; first‑year costs larger because of one‑time equipment purchases. (Moved by Representative Nicastro; amount $2,450,000 biennium; restricted.)

- DP 203 (performance advancement wage…