Prisons and reformatories; creating the Prison Acquisition Revolving Fund; authorizing expenditure for certain purpose; penal institutions; updating list of facilities Department of Corrections is authorized to maintain; emergency.
Summary
HB2780 creates a new revolving fund in the State Treasury called the Prison Acquisition Revolving Fund for the Department of Corrections. Money in the fund is continuously available, not subject to fiscal-year limits, and is appropriated to the department for one specific purpose: helping the state complete the purchase of a prison, including associated property and equipment, from a private prison contractor.
The bill also amends the statute governing facilities the Department of Corrections is authorized to maintain. It updates and expands the list of state correctional and community corrections facilities and adds a new category for any facility purchased under HB2780. The measure includes an emergency clause, meaning it takes effect immediately upon approval.
Impact
HB2780 changes Oklahoma law by creating a dedicated financing mechanism for prison acquisition and by updating Title 57, Section 509 to reflect an additional state-owned correctional facility category. It authorizes the Department of Corrections to budget and spend revolving-fund money for acquiring a prison and related assets, and it formally recognizes a prison purchased under this act as a facility the department may maintain. The bill affects the Department of Corrections, the State Treasury, and any private prison contractor involved in a sale to the state.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad legislative support, though not unanimous. It passed the House and Senate with comfortable margins, and the committee votes were also favorable, including a strong House committee vote and a narrower but still positive Senate committee vote. The presence of an emergency clause suggests lawmakers viewed the measure as time-sensitive and important to implement quickly.
Contention
The main point of contention is the state’s purchase of a prison from a private contractor and the use of a revolving fund to finance that acquisition. Supporters likely view the bill as a way to secure state control over correctional capacity and facilities, while opponents may be concerned about the cost, the policy of buying private prison assets, and the expansion of correctional infrastructure. The recorded votes show some opposition at each stage, indicating at least some disagreement over the fiscal and policy implications of the acquisition.
Carry Over
Prisons and reformatories; creating the Prison Acquisition Revolving Fund; authorizing expenditure for certain purpose; penal institutions; updating list of facilities Department of Corrections is authorized to maintain; emergency.
Prisons and reformatories; creating the Prison Acquisition Revolving Fund; authorizing expenditure for certain purpose; penal institutions; updating list of facilities Department of Corrections is authorized to maintain; emergency.
State Election Board; creating the State Election Board Voting System Revolving Fund; authorizing budgeting and expenditure of funds for certain purposes. Effective date. Emergency.
Prisons and reformatories; granting elected state officials the right to access facilities operated by the Department of Corrections for purposes of inspection and evaluation; codification; effective date.
Crimes and punishments; modifying offenses in certain classes of felonies; creating felony offenses for second or subsequent offenses; adding offenses for which registration pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act applies. Effective date.
Crimes and punishments; creating felony offense related to false impersonation of peace officers; broadening scope of allowable seizure. Effective date.