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Sponsor says talks with DOC have advanced; taxation committee votes 'ought not to pass' on Charleston reimbursement bill
Summary
Representative Steve Foster updated the committee on meetings with the Department of Corrections and town officials regarding LD1931 (reimbursing Charleston for 43% of tax revenue loss from Mountain View Correctional Facility); the committee voted unanimously 'ought not to pass' after the sponsor said the work would continue outside formal legislation.
Representative Steve Foster, sponsor of LD1931, told the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation that talks among town officials and Department of Corrections representatives have proceeded and a follow-up meeting is scheduled to identify potential financial arrangements that could benefit the town of Charleston.
LD1931 would have required the state to annually reimburse Charleston for 43% of property-tax revenue loss attributed to Mountain View Correctional Facility's tax‑exempt status. Foster said his intent in filing the bill was to prompt action and oversight; after several meetings he told the committee he was "quite satisfied that things will go well" and that the town and DOC appear to be on a productive path.
Representative Matlack moved that the committee recommend 'ought not to pass' on the bill, a motion seconded by Senator Bickford. Matlack said it is sometimes appropriate to file legislation to catalyze negotiations and that the current local-state process appears to be delivering results without imposing a new statutory obligation.
Representative Quinn praised Foster's diligence in bringing parties together and noted that legislation can be an effective tool to prompt negotiations. Chair Grohowski called the committee to a vote; the 'ought not to pass' motion carried unanimously among members present.
The chair closed the work session on LD1931 and thanked Representative Foster for his efforts on behalf of his community.
Next procedural steps will be none for this bill in taxation, as the committee issued its recommendation against passage and the sponsor will continue local discussions outside formal legislative action.
