Appropriations panel approves amendments to 'Senate Bill 20 15,' removes 600‑bed language and adds diversion center funding

Chairman Nelson called the Human Resources section to order and the committee approved two amendment packages to "Senate Bill 20 15," voting unanimously on each measure.

The committee approved amendment 03006, then approved a further amendment that removed a specifically stated “600 bed” planning figure from page 5, line 25. Representative O'Brien moved the change to remove the 600‑bed language; Representative Mitscog seconded. The committee recorded the motion as carried, 8–0.

The panel then considered amendment 03007, which added funding for a diversion-and-deflection center and related language. The amendment includes a $5,000,000 grant for a diversion and deflection center with matching funds, and language tying state disbursement to a project plan and final approval by the DOCR. Alex, committee staff, described language in 03/2007 that creates a requirement that “the entity awarded the grant . . . shall submit a project plan to the DOCR and must receive final approval from the DOCR before any state funds are distributed.” Alex also told the committee that certain equipment items — body cameras, tasers and vests — appear in both versions of the bill and that, on paper, “that money is kind of double appropriated. But in reality, they can spend either the federal funds or the SIF, not both.”

Committee members also debated two studies added to the bill (identified in the amendment as sections 10 and 11). Members agreed those two study provisions should be strengthened rather than left optional. Representative Steeman proposed changing language that read “shall consider studying” to a mandatory “shall study” and suggested combining the separate study instructions so legislative management would not choose one study over the other. The committee voted to remove the word “consider” — making the provision a directive to study — and instructed staff to make the grammatical changes. That motion passed 8–0.

Representative O'Brien moved adoption of amendment 03007 as amended; Representative Murphy seconded the motion. The committee approved the amended package by an 8–0 vote. Chairman Nelson recessed the section until after floor session to await any further action by the Senate that could affect the committee’s work.

Why it matters: The amendments alter how the bill treats correctional planning and state-funded grants tied to diversion programs. Removing a specific 600‑bed planning target takes a numeric constraint out of the bill’s language; adding a grant that requires DOCR approval creates a state oversight step before funds are released. Committee members flagged the potential for overlapping funding sources on paper and clarified that only one source would actually be spent.

Committee discussion and next steps: Members pressed to ensure the two study directives would not be left as optional recommendations; the committee voted to require the study work. The committee also asked staff to reconcile the bill’s language with action pending on the Senate floor and said it would reconvene after floor session to complete any remaining votes.

Votes at a glance - Amendment 03006 (as presented): Moved by Representative Steeman; seconded by Representative O'Brien. Outcome: Passed 8–0 (Yes: Chairman Nelson; Vice Chairman Stimac; Representative Anderson; Representative Berg; Representative Mitscog; Representative Murphy; Representative O'Brien; Representative Wagner). - Further amendment to 03006 removing the “600 bed” language (page 5, line 25): Moved by Representative O'Brien; seconded by Representative Mitscog. Outcome: Passed 8–0 (Yes: Chairman Nelson; Vice Chairman Stimac; Representative Anderson; Representative Burke; Representative Mitscog; Representative Murphy; Representative O'Brien; Representative Wagner). - Amendment 03007 (diversion-and-deflection center, matching funds, project‑plan/DOCR approval, equipment triggers) as amended to require study language: Moved by Representative O'Brien; seconded by Representative Murphy. Outcome: Passed 8–0 (Yes: Chairman Nelson; Vice Chairman Stimac; Representative Anderson; Representative Berg; Representative Mitscog; Representative Murphy; Representative O'Brien; Representative Wagner).

Quotes “Okay gang, this is the finale. We have senate bill 20 15,” Chairman Nelson said as the panel began the session on the bill.

“The money is kind of double appropriated on paper. But in reality, they can spend either the federal funds or the SIF, not both,” Alex, committee staff, said while explaining the funding language in the diversion center amendment.

“Can we further amend on page 5 line 25 removed 600 bed?” Representative O'Brien asked during the discussion on removing the fixed bed count.

Ending The committee left the bill in a posture to return after the chamber’s floor session to see whether related Senate action (noted by members at the start of the meeting) required any further changes. No final floor action by the full legislature was recorded in the committee transcript.