Caucus rejects new prison, funds contracted capacity as temporary buffer; placeholders proposed for special‑needs parole

Senator Bridges told the caucus the committee declined to fund construction of a new state prison and instead put money toward contracting privately for capacity as a temporary measure. "Rather than be in that situation, put future legislators in that situation, we did decide to move to go the private route," Bridges said, framing the move as a short‑term buffer that could end without closing a state facility.

Senator Weissman and others described procedural placeholders for DOC capacity and special‑needs parole. Weissman previewed amendments that insert $1 placeholder lines into the long bill so the JBC and executive branch can use the 13‑31 authority to overexpend or mobilize contracting capacity if needed; she said such placeholders act like options rather than firm commitments.

Members emphasized they tried to avoid creating irreversible new infrastructure and that the chosen approach preserves flexibility: fund a temporary contracted rate now with the option to end the contract in future years rather than open a state facility that can be hard to close. The caucus did not vote on any statutory change in the meeting; members discussed amendment strategies for the floor.