Building and General Services representatives updated the House of Corrections and Excusements Committee on plans to relieve heat and complete accessibility and security upgrades at multiple correctional facilities.

Joe Asia of BGS said the department has deployed temporary AC units (for break rooms, gyms, libraries and some living units) at Southern State and Newport, with work under way at Northeast Regional and Caledonia Work Camp. "Right now, all the temporary units are in place or going into place as we speak," Asia said. He told the committee the temporary units are meant to provide relief in communal spaces rather than replace whole‑building systems.

The department is completing design development for permanent air‑conditioning and expects to put Springfield out to bid in April, Asia said. Committee members noted that the executive budget currently includes $4,000,000 for FY2026 and $1,000,000 for FY2027 as placeholder funding for these projects; Asia cautioned that final costs will depend on bids. He described one large project previously estimated at about $16 million that could be closer to $20 million once final assessments and procurement prices are known.

Asia described the useful life of the new systems as roughly 20 years on average but warned that premature failures (10–15 years) are possible depending on equipment and operating conditions. He also flagged logistical challenges on older buildings where ductwork and existing utilities are difficult to access.

Accessibility work required under a Department of Justice settlement is mostly complete at Southern State and Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and is expected to finish at Northern State by July, Asia said. An independent architect engaged by DOJ is providing oversight; BGS sought and received one extension because of labor shortages but said the extension does not violate the settlement deadline.

Security upgrades include door control and card‑access system replacements. Asia said those systems integrate with new cameras and master‑control touchscreens so officers can see and operate doors from control stations; the work at Saint Johnsbury will also replace cameras and perimeter intrusion sensors.

Committee members also discussed ancillary capital priorities prompted by ongoing construction: roof work and the reconfiguration of booking areas at the Northwest/Saint Albans site, and reconstruction projects at the veterans' home and an 1800s laundry building that serves roughly 140 beds. Asia said the veterans' home design development is complete but that construction documents and start of construction depend on securing a federal VA matching grant.

The judiciary's White River Junction courthouse project is in final punch‑list stages; BGS said staff will move in the last week of the month and courts will begin operating there Feb. 2.

The committee encouraged BGS to continue coordination with DOC on security, logistics and communication to staff and incarcerated people about the scope and timeline of temporary versus permanent work. Asia reiterated that permanent installations and broader capital spending depend on the governor's budget and final bid results.

Members said they will follow up with BGS and DOC as the governor's budget is released and as final bids and schedules become available.