Senate committee adopts capital budget amendments, adds $200,000 for prison kitchen equipment

The New Hampshire Senate Capital Budget Committee voted to adopt House Bill 25 as amended, approving a package of technical changes and at least one targeted funding increase aimed at correcting cost overruns for prison kitchen equipment.

The action came after the committee reviewed a staff-provided spreadsheet and a floor amendment packet. Committee staff said the package aligns with sections 1 and 2 of HB 25 and includes changes the committee tentatively agreed with from Administrative Services and the House. Committee members approved an amendment to add $200,000 under the Department of Corrections for kitchen fixtures and equipment at the New Hampshire State Prison for men in Concord.

The amendment adding $200,000 was presented by Grant Bossy, deputy chief of staff for the New Hampshire Senate, who said the request originated with Senator Kevin Avard after Avard toured the Concord facility and was "alarmed at the state of the kitchen." Bossy said the Department of Corrections identified roughly $200,000 in cost overruns for prior kitchen renovation appropriations and that the amendment would add a fourth line item of $200,000 for kitchen fixtures and equipment.

Heidi Laramie, administrator of logistics for the New Hampshire Department of…