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House approves $9.1 million operating deficiency for Department of Corrections after procedural re-vote
Summary
Senate File 3196 cleared the Minnesota House on April 30 to provide $9.1 million from the general fund and to reallocate about $10 million in prior appropriations to cover an operating shortfall at the Department of Corrections; the bill passed 129-4 after members re-opened the vote to give the measure a proper third reading.
The Minnesota House on April 30 passed Senate File 3196 to provide an operating deficiency for the Department of Corrections. The bill was approved 129-4 after the House paused and re-ran the vote to give the measure its required third reading.
Representative Matt Moller (D–Ramsey), the bill’s author, said the Department of Corrections (DOC) requested $9,100,000 from the state’s general fund and approval to reallocate approximately $10,000,000 in previously appropriated funds to address a fiscal year 2025 shortfall. Moller said DOC staffing has risen to about 99% from roughly 76% in 2020 and that those staffing improvements, together with rising retention costs, contributed to the operating shortfall.
Moller told members the requested funding is needed to avoid “severe operational challenges” and that without it the DOC could face difficulties meeting financial obligations by June 2025. Representative Novotny (member from Sherburne) and Representative Hill (member from Washington) spoke in support; Hill referenced correctional facilities in his district and noted some facilities are over 100 years old.
During floor proceedings the House discovered the bill had not been given its third reading before an initial vote; the chamber recessed briefly, the chief clerk read the bill’s third reading, and members then took a second, official roll call. The final tally recorded 129 ayes and 4 nays.
Senate File 3196 authorizes a $9.1 million general-fund deficiency appropriation and reallocation of previously appropriated funds (approximately $10 million) to address DOC operating shortfalls for fiscal year 2025; proponents said the funds would support the continued operation of state correctional facilities and services for incarcerated individuals.
