HB1727
To Require The Division Of Correction And The Division Of Community Correction To Reimburse A County Jail For The Actual Cost Of Housing A State Inmate In The County Jail.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1727 mandates that the Arkansas Division of Correction (DOC) and the Division of Community Correction (DCC) reimburse county jails for the actual cost of housing state inmates when state facilities lack sufficient bed space. The bill specifies that these reimbursements are to be paid out of the County Jail Reimbursement Fund at rates determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, in consultation with the Arkansas Legislative Audit and the DOC, and subject to gubernatorial approval. The legislation further clarifies that reimbursement covers transportation costs for inmates being moved to state facilities. Payments accrue starting from the date of sentencing or, in the case of the DCC, from the date of probation placement involving incarceration. Reimbursement is contingent upon the state divisions receiving complete and accurate sentencing orders or relevant sanction documentation. This policy remains subject to the limitations of existing appropriations and funding.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are county governments and their respective sheriff's offices. By ensuring that the state provides reimbursement for the 'actual cost' of housing state-sentenced inmates, counties would experience significant financial relief, as they would no longer be forced to absorb the full operational expenses of holding state inmates in local jail facilities due to state-level overcrowding.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary entity negatively impacted is the Arkansas state government, specifically the departments responsible for managing state-level correctional budgets. Because the bill mandates reimbursement for 'actual costs'—which may be higher than current fixed reimbursement rates—the state may face increased budgetary pressure and a potential shortfall in the County Jail Reimbursement Fund, necessitating higher legislative appropriations or cuts elsewhere.
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