FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2939

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 302 L 90

BYRepresentatives Braddock, Brooks, Morris, Jacobsen, Silver, Holland, Winsley and Baugher; by request of Department of Corrections

Removing population limits at certain correctional institutions.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Law & Justice and Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

There are statutory limits on the maximum number of inmates who may be housed at the Special Offender Center in Monroe (144 inmates), the Twin Rivers Corrections Center (500 inmates), the Washington State Reformatory (limit established by Federal court), and the Washington Correction Center at Shelton (115 percent of rated capacity).  In emergency situations, these statutory limits may be exceeded by 10 percent for the Special Offender Center, the Twin Rivers Corrections Center, and the Washington State Reformatory, and by 15 percent for the Washington Correction Center.

These inmate population limits were originally instituted as part of siting agreements made with the local jurisdictions.  In recent years, the rapid rise of inmate populations has created pressure on the state correctional system to make more effective use of existing correctional facilities.

SUMMARY:

The statutory limits on inmate capacity are eliminated for the Special Offender Center at Monroe, the Twin Rivers Corrections Center, the Washington State Reformatory,  and the Washington Corrections Center at Shelton.

The Department of Corrections is required to pay mitigation funds to certain cities, towns, and counties that are within proximity of these correctional facilities if inmate populations exceed specified levels.  Formulas are provided to calculate the magnitude of the required mitigation fees.  The payment of mitigation fees is contingent upon the appropriation of funds to cover the costs of such fees.

If the elimination of the existing limits on inmate capacity results in an increase in inmate population, the Department of Corrections is required to provide staffing levels sufficient to comply with the model standards adopted by the department.  Under no circumstances may staffing levels fall below the levels that exist on the effective date of the act.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 85   9

      Senate    40     9 (Senate amended)

      House 94   2 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990

Partial Veto Summary:  The requirement that the Department of Corrections pay mitigation funds to certain cities, towns, and counties within close proximity to a prison facility is eliminated.  (See VETO MESSAGE)