Summary — SB 25‑291: Division Criminal Justice Spending Authority — Community Corrections
Status: Governor Signed (2025-06-03)
Introduced: April 15, 2025
Bill Number: SB 25-291
Primary Sponsors: Rick Taggart; Barbara Kirkmeyer; Judy Amabile; Emily Sirota
Cosponsors: C. Kipp; L. Daugherty; S. Bird; D. Michaelson Jenet; J. Bridges; K. Wallace; C. Clifford
Purpose
The bill’s title indicates it grants or modifies spending authority for the state Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) related to community corrections. In plain terms, SB 25‑291 authorizes DCJ to expend funds for programs, services, or administration connected with community‑based corrections (e.g., probation, parole supervision, diversion, reentry, treatment, or local community corrections programs). The bill was passed by both chambers without amendment and signed by the Governor.
What the legislative record shows
- Introduced in the Senate (Assigned to Appropriations) on 2025‑04‑15.
- Passed both chambers on special order and third reading with no amendments (Senate 4/22–4/23; House 4/29–4/30).
- Signed by legislative leaders and transmitted to the Governor on 5/8/2025.
- Governor signed the bill on 6/3/2025.
Key provisions (based on bill title and available metadata)
The legislative summary below reflects the likely scope from the bill title and procedural notes. The full bill text is needed for exact language and dollar amounts.
- Grants or increases spending authority to the Division of Criminal Justice specifically for community corrections functions.
- May authorize transfers, encumbrances, or expenditures from particular state funds (general fund, cash funds, federal funds, or dedicated correctional funds) to support community supervision, local community corrections boards, evidence‑based programs, treatment services, or reentry supports.
- Could include administrative authority to distribute funds to counties, community providers, or local correctional programs.
- May contain reporting, auditing, or sunset/continuation language to govern use of the spending authority.
Who would be affected
- Division of Criminal Justice (administrative/fiscal operations).
- Counties and local community corrections boards that receive state funding for supervision and services.
- Community corrections providers (treatment, diversion, reentry, supervision programs).
- Individuals under community supervision who receive services funded by the authorized spending.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Enables DCJ to fund or expand community‑based correctional services, which can affect local program capacity and supervision practices.
- Fiscal impact depends on the authorization amount and funding source (not provided).
- Oversight and reporting provisions (if included) will determine accountability for expenditures and program outcomes.
- If spending authority is temporary or conditional, continuity of local programs could depend on future appropriations.
Next steps / where to find the bill text
The full, authoritative text and fiscal documents (appropriation amounts, effective date, fund sources, and statutory amendments) are not included here. To review specifics, consult your state legislature’s website or bill tracking system and search for SB 25‑291 (2025) — Division Criminal Justice Spending Authority—Community Corrections. Reviewing the enacted bill and any fiscal notes will provide exact dollar amounts, effective dates, and reporting requirements.
