HB4 Alabama 2021 1st Special Session

Sponsors

Session

First Special Session 2021

Title

Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority, issuance of bonds for the finance, construction, and renovation of prisons, provided; membership of authority, further provided; phased approach to the construction of new prisons and the renovation or closure of old prisons, provided; Correctional Facilities Maintenance Fund and Department of Corrections - Correctional Capital Improvement Fund, created; Alabama Prison Repurposing Commission, required to study economic impact of any closure or possible repurposing of prison facility. Secs. 14-2-1, 14-2-6, 14-2-12, 14-2-13.1, 14-2-14, 14-2-16, 14-2-19, 14-2-21, 14-2-28, and 14-2-34, am'd.

Description

Under existing law, the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority is authorized to issue bonds for prison construction purposes.

This bill would allow the authority to issue additional bonds in an amount not to exceed $785 million, as necessary, to implement a prison modernization plan in a phased approach that would replace existing bed space in Department of Corrections facilities through the construction of a new specialized men's prison facility on state-owned land in Elmore County that would provide enhanced medical, mental health, and other health care, substance abuse and addiction treatment, and educational and other programming services to inmates; the construction of a new prison facility for male inmates on state-owned land in Escambia County; the construction of a new women's prison facility on state-owned land in Elmore County; and the renovation and improvement of existing state-owned prison facilities in Jefferson County, Limestone County, and an additional existing facility to be selected by the authority to be located in Barbour or Bullock County.

Relating to the finance and construction and renovation of prisons; to provide legislative findings and intent; to amend Sections 14-2-1, 14-2-6, 14-2-12, 14-2-13.1, 14-2-14, 14-2-16, 14-2-19, 14-2-21, 14-2-28, and 14-2-34, Code of Alabama 1975, to allow the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $785 million for the purpose of implementing a prison modernization plan in a phased approach that would replace existing bed space in Department of Corrections facilities through the construction of a new specialized men's prison facility on state-owned land in Elmore County providing specialized services to inmates; the construction of a new prison facility for male inmates on state-owned land in Escambia County; the construction of a new women's prison facility on state-owned land in Elmore County; the renovation and improvement of existing state-owned prison facilities in certain counties and an additional existing facility to be selected by the authority; to define certain terms; to revise the membership of the authority; to require reporting to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee; to further provide for actions to be taken upon payment of all bonds issued by the authority; to create the Correctional Facilities Maintenance Fund; and to create the Department of Corrections - Correctional Capital Improvement Fund.

Subjects

Prisons and Prisoners