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House committee hears Department of Corrections budget request and closure savings
Summary
Lawmakers reviewed the governor’s proposed $3.38 billion general‑fund package and a $142.5 million increase affecting the Department of Corrections, discussed savings from two facility closures and the timeline to mothball Rockview while staff transfers and inventory moves continue.
The House Appropriations Committee examined the governor’s proposed FY26–27 general fund budget and its impact on the Department of Corrections during an afternoon hearing.
Chairman Struzzi said the governor is proposing $3,380,000,000 in general fund spending for FY26–27 and that the DOC comprises about 6.3% of that total. Department witnesses told committee members the DOC’s request reflects a $142.5 million increase over the current year driven largely by personnel carry‑costs, negotiated salary increases and rising operational costs.
DOC testimony broke down the requested increase: about $85.7 million was described as personnel cost carry‑forward, including adjustments for correctional officers and other bargaining units; food and other operating costs account for additional increases, and the department requested $10 million to replace ARPA funding no longer available. The department said those elements produce approximately $103 million of cost‑to‑carry within the SCI (state correctional institution) fund and the remainder covers field supervision, medical, education and general government operation costs.
Members also pressed the department on the enacted and projected savings tied to recent facility closures. DOC officials said inmates were transferred out of two facilities this month, that roughly 734 staff transfers were processed and that roughly 537 correctional‑staff positions tied to the closed sites will not be refilled; the department estimated closure savings of about $101.9 million after accounting for personnel and operational changes. DOC said it has submitted a cold‑mothballing request to the Department of General Services and will retain minimal staffing for utilities, fire suppression and surveillance until property turnover is complete.
Representative Debanzo and others sought detail on the budget line items and the $45 million categorized as "other expenses" for the facilities; DOC explained that the remaining expenses covered utilities, equipment redistribution and a $27 million operating amount tied to Rockview and the other closed facility.
The committee heard that some maintenance and inventory work will take several months before facilities can be turned over to DGS. Chairman Struzzi asked for a multi‑month timeline and was told the personnel savings will phase in over the fiscal year as transfers and vacancies stabilize.
The hearing concluded with DOC committing to provide additional documentation and follow‑up on closure accounting and mothballing costs. The committee will reconvene for further testimony next week.
