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Senate committee advances amended DOCR appropriations bill with study language and adjustments for county jail operations
Summary
The Senate Appropriations — Human Resources Division approved a do‑pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2015 as amended, a DOCR appropriations and policy package that includes study language and adjustments to county/regional corrections funding and new FTEs.
The Senate Appropriations — Human Resources Division approved a do‑pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2015 as amended, a budget and policy package for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR).
Committee members adopted an amendment (LC draft) that clarified language on eligible inmates’ participation in work, rehabilitation and treatment programs and revised definitions related to “confinement” so transitional facilities could not be excluded by accident. The department’s director, Colby Bridal, described the updated fiscal note and said the amended bill and long sheet reflected the committee’s prior discussions.
Members negotiated several technical changes before final approval. Senators agreed to add study language to the amendment (the committee asked DOCR to develop and report on specific operational issues as part of budget oversight) and to reduce a proposed one‑time State Infrastructure Fund allocation for DOCR operations in county and regional correctional centers (previously shown at roughly $6.5 million) down to $3 million, per a committee member’s request to keep a negotiating posture with local partners. The committee also agreed to reduce the number of new FTEs tied to DOCR operations in county and regional correctional centers to 10 and to make a related adjustment to the available vacant FTE pool.
The committee discussed victim services funding: DOCR staff explained the prior biennium included approximately $7 million in federal VOCA awards that were not expected to recur in the same amount; the amended package included a one‑time $5 million state allocation to make up some of that loss while the department works to identify longer‑term funding.
After additional drafting adjustments, Senator Cleary moved and Senator Davidson seconded a do‑pass recommendation on SB 2015 as amended; the committee recorded a majority vote in favor and the bill was advanced with the do‑pass recommendation. Senator Cleary agreed to carry the bill to the full committee.
Why it matters: SB2015 funds DOCR operations, sets several implementation tasks and directs study work on corrections policy; the amendment package reduces some proposed one‑time funding and FTEs and adds a short study so the department and legislators can refine operational plans before final budgetary actions.
