Finance - Division III recommends SB 481 with amendment after debate over sale proceeds; members hear update on new youth center

At a Finance - Division III work session on April 20, members voted to recommend Senate Bill 481, as amended, to full Finance next week after a lengthy debate over where proceeds from the sale of the existing youth facility should be deposited.

The committee began the item with an operational briefing on the new Youth Development Center (YDC) in Hampstead. Marie Nunan, DCIF director, told the panel the building is on schedule: "we anticipate that the project will be complete in late summer, early fall of 2026 and we anticipate occupancy in early 2027," she said. Nunan said the new facility occupies roughly 34,000 square feet, will house a maximum of 12 youth at one time, and is designed with single‑occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms and collocated clinical, medical and education spaces intended to promote safety and dignity.

Department of Health and Human Services chief Nathan White said construction to date has been funded with federal ARPA/recovery funds. He described the use of ad alternates in bidding and said HHS may bring targeted capital requests later this year for items such as a kitchen or maintenance outbuilding.

The committee then debated how to treat any future proceeds from selling the current Cenounu Youth Services Center property. Representative Seaworth offered Amendment 1503H to place sale proceeds into the general fund, arguing that the Joint Fiscal Committee can transfer funds into the settlement fund as needed and that the general fund offers flexibility for timing and amounts. Representative Stringham offered an alternative amendment (1511H) to deposit proceeds directly into the Youth Development Center Claims Administration Settlement Fund. Representative Priest urged depositing proceeds into the settlement fund so unresolved claimants could be paid, saying, "there is approximately 500 to 800 individuals that have not received any settlement yet." Members voiced concerns on both sides about budget management, transparency and the unpredictability of sales proceeds.

On roll call, Amendment 1503H passed on a 6–4 vote; the committee later defeated Amendment 1511H, 4–6. With Amendment 1503H attached, the committee voted that SB 481 "ought to pass with amendment." That recommendation will be reported to full Finance at its April 27 meeting.

What happens next: The committee recommendation and the passed amendment will appear in the Division 3 report to full Finance. The bill sponsor and committee members may prepare minority reports before the plenary session next week.