Committee advances Trousdale Turner body‑worn camera pilot after sponsor says vendor will supply equipment
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Summary
The committee approved a one‑year pilot to equip correctional officers at Trousdale Turner with body‑worn cameras; sponsor said CoreCivic agreed to provide cameras but members pressed a $359,900 fiscal note placed by the department.
The House State and Local Government Committee voted March 31 to advance HB 17-18, a bill to create a one‑year pilot program at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility requiring body‑worn cameras for correctional officers.
Representative Ashley, the sponsor, said the pilot will enhance safety for inmates and officers, provide clearer evidence for prosecutions and reduce disputed accounts of incidents. “Body worn cameras would provide a clear firsthand perspective, helping ensure that justice is accurate, fair, and supported by strong evidence,” the sponsor said.
Members questioned a fiscal note listed at roughly $359,900. Representative McCalman asked why the cost was so high if a contractor would provide the cameras. The sponsor replied CoreCivic agreed to provide the cameras and suggested the fiscal entry was added late by the commissioner’s office.
The bill was amended on the floor and the committee approved advancing it to finance, 23‑0 according to clerk announcements.
What happens next: The bill will appear before the Finance, Ways and Means Committee for further fiscal review and potential amendments.
All quotes are from committee proceedings and are attributed to the members and witnesses who spoke.
