Committee reviews capital bill draft 2.1, clarifies transfer rules for Southern State parcel and adds oversight for prison Wi‑Fi

The House Corrections and Institutions Committee met March 26 to review draft 2.1 of the proposed capital bill, focusing on corrections‑related policy sections and cash allocations. The meeting covered replacement and transfer authority for a Southern State Correctional parcel, reporting and a temporary prohibition on spending for the Green Mountain Youth Campus, a $3.0 million line for installing Wi‑Fi in state correctional facilities, and cash routing for a proposed women’s re‑entry and correctional facility.

John Gray of the Office of Legislative Council led the committee through the draft and explained that the bill replaces an earlier 2024 transfer authorization for a roughly 22–23 acre parcel tied to Southern State. Under the new language, the 2024 authorization is repealed and a new transfer authority is created that is contingent on specific development milestones and check‑ins with Buildings and General Services (BGS). Gray told members the transfer authority will expire on July 1, 2030, if the transfer has not occurred, and that separate…