JFAC approves $1.0589 million supplemental for prison body-worn camera pilot

Noah Peterson, a budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, briefed JFAC on a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Correction's State Prisons Division to begin a body-worn camera pilot funded primarily by a federal grant.

“This is year 1 of that pilot program and holds all of the federal dollars in appropriation for this program,” Peterson said, explaining the request and the timing to comply with federal grant parameters.

The motion, offered on the floor by Senator Wintrow and seconded by Representative Manwaring, approved a one-time addition of $27,000 from the general fund and $1,023,900 from federal funds for a total of $1,058,900 to begin the pilot program. Peterson told the committee the Department of Correction will include the state match in the prisons budget for FY2026 (the transcript references a state-match figure of about $505,000 to be requested again in later years).

Senator Galloway asked why the pilot arrived as a supplemental rather than as part of the main budget; Peterson said the federal grant was awarded in federal fiscal year 2025 and the appropriation timing allows the department to start the program and remain within grant parameters.

The committee approved the supplemental by roll call. On the senate side the vote was announced as eight ayes, one against and one absent or excused; the House reported seven ayes and three nays. The committee clerk announced a final total of 15 ayes, 4 nays and 1 absent or excused; the motion received a do-pass recommendation.

Why it matters: The supplemental starts a pilot that will test body-worn cameras for corrections staff; most funding comes from a federal grant with a small general fund portion and additional state-match considerations in future fiscal requests.