All Roll Calls
Yes: 264 • No: 33
MontanaHB 83369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Provide funding to increase correctional capacity
Sponsored By: John Fitzpatrick (Republican)
Became Law
CorrectionsAppropriationsPublic Contracts
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
$246 million for prison construction
The law moves $246 million from the general fund into the state’s capital building account by June 30, 2027. On the law’s effective date, $246 million is appropriated to the Department of Administration. The money pays to build new state prisons, renovate existing ones, or buy a building to convert for prison use.
New fund and options to add prisons
The law creates a Future of Corrections Fund run by the Department of Corrections. The fund can pay to build, lease, buy, or contract with private prisons, and it follows DOC rules with a state finance exemption. If the Budget Director finds state-led construction or purchase is not in the state’s best interest, $246 million must shift into this fund; the earlier capital appropriation then becomes void. The Budget Director must consider local workforce needed for rehabilitation and reentry programs. Funding from the fund lasts until construction is done and any leases end; any remaining money returns to the general fund. Because lease-to-own deals need a two‑thirds vote in each house, if that vote is not met, the fund cannot use lease-to-own and can still use build-to-lease and private facility contracts.
Planning money and oversight for prisons
The law gives $4 million from the general fund to the Department of Corrections. The money covers system assessment, planning, transition costs, security technology, and related contracts, and is available through the biennium starting July 1, 2025. It also gives $3.5 million for the 2025–27 biennium for program expansion and operations and maintenance tied to the new setting, with the intent to add it to the 2027–29 base budget. Until a new facility gets a certificate of occupancy, any year‑end balance returns to the fund it came from. The Department of Administration can start planning and design early and use interentity loans to cover those costs. The Department of Corrections must report spending and obligations each quarter to three legislative committees until construction is complete.
New prisons must include operating money
The law blocks approval of a new prison facility unless the same authorization also funds program expansion and ongoing operations and maintenance. This ties building plans to the money needed to run the prison.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
John Fitzpatrick
Republican • House
Cosponsors
John Esp
Republican • Senate
Llew Jones
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 46 • No: 4
House 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: 90 • No: 9
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/19/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/13/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
5/7/2025HouseSigned by President
5/6/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/2/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/28/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/23/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/23/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/22/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
4/17/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
4/16/2025SenateHearing
4/14/2025SenateReferred to Committee
4/7/2025SenateFirst Reading
4/7/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
4/5/2025House3rd Reading Passed
4/5/2025House2nd Reading Passed
4/3/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Printed
4/3/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Signed
4/3/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Received
4/2/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Requested
3/31/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
3/29/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
3/28/2025HouseFiscal Note Signed
3/28/2025HouseFiscal Note Received
3/28/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/24/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/31/2025
Introduced
3/17/2025