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 Under the new language, the 2024 authorization is repealed and a new transfer authority is created that is contingent on specific development milestones and check‑ins with Buildings and General Services (BGS).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 development milestones require that development begin by March 2030 or the parties must consult BGS about next steps.

The committee also added reporting and spending restrictions connected to work at the Green Mountain Youth Campus. The draft requires monthly reports during adjournment to the joint legislative fiscal and joint justice oversight groups and prohibits DCF and BGS from expending FY27 funds for further development at the campus until either off‑session consultation with committee chairs approves resumption or the legislature authorizes resumption in session.

Members spent substantial time on language for design and site requirements for the State House entryway project, pressing for explicit reference to ADA compliance and delivery/truck access in the comprehensive parking plan. Committee participants said explicitly calling out state and federal accessibility requirements would reduce later ambiguity during implementation and make legislative intent clearer for agencies and contractors.

On correctional‑facility technology, the draft includes a new provision authorizing capital funds to install Wi‑Fi in state correctional facilities. Committee counsel presented an initial draft of Section 17 calling for monthly reports about Wi‑Fi installations and named the commissioner of corrections and the chief information officer of the state digital services agency as the reporting officers. At a later read‑through the committee reduced the figure from $3.3 million to $3.0 million and added language specifying that installations must be designed to address safety, security and confidentiality risks appropriate to a correctional environment. Members debated whether the appropriation should be routed through BGS, through an executive agency such as AHS, or be directed to DOC and Digital Services for project management; no final routing decision was recorded.

The committee reviewed cash‑section reallocations and emphasized the operational difference between authorization and appropriation: several members warned that listing projects as "authorized" in the capital bill without matching appropriation language in the budget could leave projects without spending authority when the bills arrive on the floor. Committee staff said they would coordinate with Appropriations to ensure appropriations and authorizations are aligned.

Members also discussed wording and routing for a replacement women’s re‑entry and correctional facility line item. Committee staff reported that prior capital bills used consistent language for "replacement women’s re‑entry and correctional facilities," and noted that available cash in the draft would largely be consumed by that line and the other adjustments. Members said they expected questions on the House floor about the replacement facility and planned to brief colleagues before the vote.

No formal vote was taken at the March 26 meeting; staff said they will reconcile spreadsheet numbers and circulate a final draft in advance of a possible vote the following day. The committee recessed and scheduled follow‑up coordination with Appropriations to resolve appropriation language and to confirm which agencies will hold the new project funds.