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Senate finance subcommittee forwards FY27 Corrections budget, calls for cost study

Senate Finance Subcommittee for the Department of Corrections · April 16, 2026

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Summary

The Senate Finance Subcommittee for the Department of Corrections voted April 16 to forward its FY27 operating budget recommendation — accepting the governor’s requests but trimming one jail line item — and asked Legislative Budget and Audit to fund an independent cost-driver study; it also added intent language to explore housing inmates outside Alaska.

The Senate Finance Subcommittee for the Department of Corrections voted April 16 to forward its FY27 operating budget recommendation to the full Senate Finance Committee, approving the subcommittee report and several targeted changes.

Kelly Good, staff to Sen. Olsen, told the panel the subcommittee’s FY27 figures include $486,953,000 in unrestricted general funds, $14,218,000 in designated general funds, $24,000,293 in other funds and $9,598,000 in federal funds, and 2,127 full-time permanent positions. "The Senate Finance Department of Corrections subcommittee submits the following FY '27 numbers, 486,953,000 unrestricted general funds, 14,218,000 designated gen general funds, 24,000,293 other funds, and 9,598,000 federal funds," Good said.

The subcommittee said it accepts the governor’s requests but reduced the house adjustment for community and regional jails by 50%, setting that line at $2,795,000. It added intent language to issue a request for information on housing inmates outside Alaska and recommended that the full Senate Finance Committee add funds to Legislative Budget and Audit to procure an outside firm for an independent cost-driver study.

Sen. Tobin moved to forward the FY27 operating budget from subcommittee with the attached Legislative Finance budget and action sheet and wordage reports dated April 15, 2026, and to authorize the Legislative Finance Division to make technical or conforming changes. "Mister chairman, I move the FY27 operating budget for the Department of Corrections from subcommittee with attached legislative finance budget and action sheet and wordage reports dated 04/15/2026," Tobin said.

The chair called for objections; with none heard, the motion passed by voice and the subcommittee adjourned at 05:16 PM. The action now moves to the full Senate Finance Committee for consideration.