Committee trims Department of Corrections security request to $9 million, rejects Campbell County add‑back in House Bill 258

The House Appropriations Committee reported House Bill 258 do pass with amendments after a series of debated amendments that changed multiple line items, including a reduction of a Department of Corrections security and electronics request from $18 million to $9 million.

Committee members considered several targeted amendments and heard agency testimony before altering the bill. Representative Vandergraff (moved) sought to add Campbell County High School and a transportation facility back into the bill; she said the high school’s fire alarm system is at end of life and the building—more than 50 years old—has chronic roofing and HVAC issues. That amendment failed on a show‑of‑hands tie vote (3–4).

Representative Harrelson successfully supported an amendment to retain demolition and unanticipated costs for the Campbell County entry that remained in contention. Representative Heraldson moved an amendment to add $4,380,121 in design funding for a CECHS project so the project could reach a level‑3 design readiness; that motion carried and was seconded by Representative Pendergraft.

Representative Pendergraft offered multiple reductions to items he argued should be paused pending clearer budget forecasts, including reductions to planning studies and the law enforcement academy firing range. Several of Pendergraft’s motions failed in committee votes; one motion to eliminate the firing range failed on a 3–3 vote, and other reduction attempts had mixed results.

The committee heard from Dan Shannon of the Department of Corrections about the condition and obsolescence of security electronics at state correctional facilities. Shannon described proprietary camera and control systems, regular maintenance needs for gates and fences, and rising contraband risks, including fentanyl. After the director’s remarks, Pendergraft changed his motion to reduce the DOC security funding from $18 million to $9 million; the committee approved the amendment to set the DOC security line at $9 million.

Committee staff worked the bill page by page and, after further adjustments and roll call, reported House Bill 258 do pass with amendments. A roll call recorded seven ayes: Representative Aleman (Aye); Representative Angelos (Aye); Representative Harrelson (Aye); Representative Pendergraft (Aye); Representative Sherwood (Aye); Representative Smith (Aye); and Chairman Bair (Aye).

Why it matters: The changes reallocate capital funding across state projects, reduce one large DOC security request while still leaving funds for upgrades, and advance design funding for the CECHS project. The committee’s votes reflect a mix of fiscal caution and acknowledgement of immediate security or design needs.