The Kansas Department of Corrections told the Senate committee that prison population growth has resumed and that projected increases will strain capacity and budgets, driving a request for multiple appropriations and raising concerns about lapses in reappropriated funds.

KDOC staff reported systemwide population growth in FY2025 and said the sentencing commission projections show population exceeding current capacity by about fiscal year 2028 under current law. KDOC budget officials said 94% of the department’s proposed $616 million appropriation is state general fund (SGF), and that 56% of SGF goes to facility operations. KDOC emphasized large, non‑discretionary contractual costs — notably health care, food service and a lease payment for Lansing Correctional Facility — that limit the department’s ability to absorb an across‑the‑board reduction.

Key budget items and House actions
- Reappropriations: KDOC carried over $20.4 million in unspent SGF into FY2025, plus another $32.7 million in planned reappropriations. The LBC deleted several reappropriations and the House restored portions; net lapses were discussed for specific facilities.
- Medical and food contracts: KDOC requested $2.8 million initially to fully fund a health contract; the negotiated number rose to $8.3 million and the House added that amount in its budget. The House also added $1.7 million to fully fund food service contracts.
- Deferred rehab and repair: KDOC requested $8.6 million SGF; the House added $4 million.
- Facility projects: Requests for a new Hutchinson facility ($453 million request in agency materials) were not recommended by the governor or added by the House.
- Juvenile evidence-based program: KDOC raised concerns that lapses and new statutory provisos (including mandatory juvenile crisis intervention center funding and group home dedications) would draw down the Evidence Based Programs Fund and leave about $6.6 million short of mandated spending, risking cuts to community youth services.

Operational and staffing concerns
KDOC staff warned that a house 1.5% budget reduction effectively becomes a larger cut because many contract and debt service items are excluded from the calculation. The department said it already budgets for a 5% shrinkage (vacancy) rate and that unfilled central office positions — including parole and program providers — could reduce programming and early release credits, accelerating the date when population exceeds capacity.

During Q&A, senators asked about vacancy rates, recruitment and retention, the female population trend (expected to exceed capacity sooner than males), and the marginal daily cost of housing a resident (agency stated average cost about $110/day and marginal cost about $11.11/day).

Why it matters: KDOC officials said population growth, contract obligations and construction/debt service needs mean lawmakers face decisions that will affect whether the state must seek county contract beds or out‑of‑state placements, and whether capital projects or contract restorations are prioritized.

Provenance
First related transcript mention: fiscal presentation begins with KDOC overview by Nicole Rincher at ~s=979.10. Last related mention: KDOC materials and Q&A concluded at ~s=2569.45 before KBI discussion.