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MontanaHB 83369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Provide funding to increase correctional capacity

Sponsored By: John Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

CorrectionsAppropriationsPublic Contracts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Flexible fund for leased or private prison beds

The law creates the Future of Corrections Fund at the Department of Corrections. The fund can pay to build, lease, or buy facilities and to contract with private correctional facilities under existing law. If the budget director decides state construction or purchase is not in the state’s best interest, $246 million moves from the capital account into this fund. That money is appropriated to DOC for these uses and stays available until construction is done and any leases end. Any unspent money goes back to the general fund, and the earlier capital appropriation is void to the extent of the transfer. The director must consider whether the location has the workforce needed for rehabilitation and re‑entry programs. Certain usual procurement limits do not apply, and existing DOC rules apply.

State invests $246 million to build prisons

The law moves $246 million into the state capital building account by June 30, 2027. On the law’s effective date, that same $246 million is appropriated to the Department of Administration to build new state prisons, renovate existing ones, or buy and convert a building. The department may start planning and design now using existing contracts and interentity loans before other funding arrives. The Department of Corrections must report spending and obligations at each quarterly meeting of three legislative budget committees until construction is finished.

More corrections money for planning and operations

The law gives $4 million from the general fund to the Department of Corrections on passage. The money is available through the two‑year period starting July 1, 2025, and pays for system assessment, transition costs, planning, operations or contracts to manage the prison population, security technology, and system study. The law also gives $3.5 million for the two‑year period starting July 1, 2025 for program expansion or operations and maintenance. Lawmakers intend this amount to become part of the department’s base budget starting July 1, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • John Esp

    Republican • Senate

  • Llew Jones

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 265 • No: 33

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 42 • No: 8

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 86 • No: 12

House vote • 4/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 91 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/28/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/23/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/23/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    4/17/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    4/16/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    4/14/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    4/7/2025Senate

  14. 1st Reading

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Transmitted to Senate

    4/5/2025House

  16. 3rd Reading

    4/5/2025House

  17. 2nd Reading

    4/3/2025House

  18. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/3/2025House

  19. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    4/3/2025House

  20. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/2/2025House

  21. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    3/31/2025House

  22. Committee Report

    3/29/2025House

  23. Fiscal Note Printed

    3/28/2025House

  24. Fiscal Note Signed

    3/28/2025House

  25. Fiscal Note Received

    3/28/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/24/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/31/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    3/17/2025

    PDF

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