Senate Institutions backs edits to H.141 asking DOC for finance plan for corrections work programs

The Senate Institutions Committee on Feb. 14 voted to support proposed wording changes to Section 81 of the Budget Adjustment Act (H.141) that ask the Vermont Department of Corrections to produce a strategic plan for facility work programs and to identify funding options that could address recurring deficits.

The committee’s chair told members the House Appropriations Committee had requested review of language added by the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions. The House language asks the department to “create and provide a strategic plan before December 15, 2025, with proposed benchmarks” and notes a “significant budget deficit” in existing programs despite pay rates for incarcerated individuals of “25¢ to $1.35 per hour,” language carried in the bill.

Committee members raised concern that the bill’s existing phrasing—requiring that vocational training programs and other paid facility duties “operate without recurring deficits”—could be interpreted to rule out training that requires public subsidy. The chair proposed adding text to require the strategic plan to “or clearly identify funding sources to address the deficit.” The committee also sought that the final report include “any financial or operational actions taken to address deficits, increase oversight, and prevent future deficits, and any recommendations for funding.”

After brief discussion about time constraints—the Budget Adjustment Act was expected to move the next workday—the chair wrote the suggested change and moved that the committee support the revised language in Section 81. Senator Gregor seconded the motion. The committee voiced its support and the chair said she would transmit the committee’s support to the Appropriations Committee across the hall.

The change does not itself appropriate funds or specify funding sources; it asks the Department of Corrections to explain recent shortfalls and to propose benchmarks and funding recommendations in a strategic plan due Dec. 15, 2025. The committee did not adopt any separate budget action or direct expenditure in the meeting.

Meeting participants emphasized that training programs can require subsidy and that asking the department to identify funding options preserves the possibility of supported programs rather than assuming programs must be self-funded. The committee also noted limited time to draft a fuller response before the Budget Adjustment Act moved forward and that the Appropriations Committee will receive the Institutions Committee’s suggested edits for consideration.

The committee did not specify alternative funding sources during the meeting; the transcript records the request that the strategic plan identify such sources but does not list particular grants, state appropriations, or other revenue streams.