Brief(1)
S.B. 102 would permit the Department of Corrections to finance capital improvement projects from the Kansas Correctional Industries Fund to increase inmate work options without satisfying statutory requirements pertaining to capital improvement projects. The agency could enter into agreements with private parties to finance, accept as donations, lease, or purchase buildings for correctional industry programs exclusive from the budget submission and appropriations process. The agency also would be able to construct or renovate facilities for correctional industries from the Correctional Industries Fund. All buildings constructed, purchased, or renovated under this bill would become the property of the state within 20 years. The Governor is required to approve any projects over $500,000. Expenditures for capital improvement projects will be subject to prior review by the Joint Committee on State Building Construction. As amended, S.B. 102 exempts the Department of Corrections from the three for four retirement reduction law.
Background
The bill was recommended by the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight. The bill's provisions were included in the appropriations bill as a proviso during the 1998 Session. The bill would allow the agency to respond to potential inmate work opportunities in the correctional facilities based on market demands rather than through the appropriations process. The Department of Corrections testified in support of the bill.
The Correctional Industries Fund is revenue derived from the sale of correctional industry products and services. No State General Fund dollars are included in the fund. The fiscal note indicates the bill will have an indeterminate fiscal impact based on available ending balances.
As amended by the House Appropriations Committee, to include the provisions of H.B. 2524, S.B. 102 would exempt the Department of Corrections from the three for four retirement reduction. The Secretary of Corrections spoke in favor of the bill. The fiscal note on the amended bill indicated $107,000 per fiscal year has been reduced from the agency under current law.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html