Senate moves H.6 35 to third reading to end DOC supervisory fees and forgive outstanding debt

The Senate ordered third reading of H.6 35 after committee reports described it as a finance-focused change that eliminates monthly supervisory fees charged to people on community supervision.

Committee reporter Senator Plunkett explained that the bill removes authority in statute for the Department of Corrections to collect supervisory fees (previously authorized up to $30 monthly but commonly $15); it forgives an estimated $3.5 million in outstanding debt and prohibits nonpayment of fees from constituting a supervision violation. The statute change is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2027 to allow the department to budget for the change.

Why it matters: Committee testimony and the finance review found that the supervisory-fee program costs more to administer than it collects and creates debt burdens for people on probation and parole. The bill would reduce administrative costs and eliminate an ongoing source of debt for supervisees, with a multi-year implementation date to avoid immediate budgetary disruption.

Fiscal note: The committee reported roughly $600,000 could be collected annually in theory, with about half typically collected; administration costs exceed revenues and outstanding debt is about $3.5 million. Finance and appropriations committees supported the bill and recommended ordering it for third reading.

Next steps: The Senate ordered third reading; final floor passage will occur at the third-reading vote or subsequent recorded vote.