1DEA867F6EA12122872584F8005015A4 Hearing Summary

Senator Lee called the meeting to order. 

Representative Esgar, chair of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), made introductions and gave introductory remarks.  She referred the committee to two handouts:  Staff Budget Briefing Summary (Attachment A) and agenda and questions to guide discussion between JBC and Joint Committees of Reference (Attachment B).  

Senator Moreno provided an overview of agencies that are under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary committees.  He started the discussion with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and their supplemental budget request.  The supplemental budget request seeks funds to re-open Centennial South (CSP II).  The DOC will use the facility to house the increased inmate population that will need to be placed in state prisons after the closure of the Cheyenne Mountain Reentry Center on March 7,2020. 

Committee members discussed statutory changes to Section 17-1-1-4.3, C.R.S. that must occur if DOC utilizes two towers of CSP-II for any purpose other than a limited temporary basis. Committee members asked questions about transition costs and requested budget breakdowns to delineate the costs of both towers. 

Senator Moreno explained that JBC recently acted on a supplemental for Department of Public Safety regarding community corrections beds ($8 million for 1,025 beds).  Discussion followed about moving inmates from DOC into community corrections beds and some of the complexities involved. 

Discussion ensued about vacancy rates and safety issues if the prison vacancy rate is too low.  Questions were raised about using county jails as a back-up for housing state inmates.  Discussion followed that county jails are at capacity. 

Senator Moreno continued with the Judicial Branch budget request.  He recapped that Judicial requested funds for additional magistrates and probation officers and noted that other budgetary items were routine requests.  Committee members expressed concern about the increasing use of magistrates.  Questions were asked about filling probation officer positions in rural areas and information technology.

Senator Moreno summarized the Office of the STate Public Defender budget request.  Committee members questioned if data and caseloads support the need for additional public defenders. Discussion followed about the role of social workers in the Public Defender's Office.

Senator Moreno next recapped the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel budget.  Questions arose about the requested cost of living increases and on what it was based. 

Senator Moreno continued with the Office of the Child's Representative and Child Protection Ombudsman budget.  JBC members pointed out that Judicial's budget is independent and not filtered through the Governor's Office like executive branch agencies.  Senator Moreno briefly summarized the Department of Law and Department of Public Safety budgets.