HB0501 Carter, Paula J

C O M M I T T E E

HB 501, HCA 1 -- COUNTY REIMBURSEMENT

SPONSOR: Carter

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Correctional and State Institutions by a vote of 7 to 0.

This bill increases the amount that the state will have to reimburse counties for costs incurred for housing state prisoners from the amount not to exceed $17 to the amount not to exceed $37.50.

HCA 1 - removes the $37.50 per diem amount and replaces it with staggered amounts beginning with $25.00 in fiscal year 1997, $30.00 in 1998, and $35.00 in 1999.

FISCAL NOTE: Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $15,300,000 in FY 96, $20,000,000 in FY 97, & $22,500,000 in FY 98.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the costs involved in housing state prisoners in county jails is placing a major burden on the counties because the state reimbursement covers less than half of the expenses incurred for housing a state prisoner.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Carter; Missouri Association of Counties; Office of the Mayor of the City of St. Louis; Missouri Police Chiefs Association; St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners; and Jackson County.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Research Analyst