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House floor debates lowering state jail-reimbursement rate from 70% to 50% in amendment
Summary
Representative Curtis proposed an amendment to H.B. 319 to set the state's reimbursement to counties for housing certain state prisoners at 50% rather than the 70% discussed in negotiations; sponsors said 70% had been negotiated with some counties, while others urged caution and recommended further discussion with county officials.
Representative Sam Curtis described an amendment to House Bill 319 that would change a statutory jail-reimbursement rate from a proposed 70% to 50% reimbursement to counties for housing certain state prisoners. Curtis said the 70% had been the basis of earlier negotiations but that Commissioner Herbert had suggested 50% might be more realistic this year.
Several members representing counties objected, arguing counties would be asked to house state prisoners without adequate reimbursement and warning of tight county budgets. Curtis said the amendment was responsive to county feedback and invited further dialogue; he also raised the possibility of encircling the bill to continue negotiations with county officials rather than forcing immediate passage.
Floor debate included questions about whether the change would be permanent statutory language (the sponsor confirmed it would be set in statute), what the historical average reimbursement percentage had been over 15 years (members said they did not have precise figures on the floor), and whether counties could legally refuse to house prisoners if reimbursement were cut. The transcript records motioning to encircle the bill and extensive floor discussion but no final enactment vote in these segments.
