270E944259680EBE8725838D00640C2E Hearing Summary

Senator Lee called the meeting to order. 

Senator Moreno presented the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Budget Staff Summary and walked the committee through the major highlights of agencies under its purview (the summary may be accessed here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/publications/fy-2019-20-staff-budget-briefing-summary).  He introduced other members of the JBC, including Senators Zenzinger and Rankin and Representatives Esgar and Ransom.  

Senator Moreno began the briefing with the Department of Corrections (DOC)  budget request.  He discussed the high vacancy rate and correctional officer retention issues. He noted the particular problem of losing officers to other entities that offer better pay and benefits.  The committee discussed prison capacity, technical parole violations, and the costs of incarceration. 

Senator Moreno continued with the briefing.  He  noted that targets set for Community Corrections and intensive supervision are not being met.  He discussed successes with the re-entry program.  The committee discussed prison population projections, as well as the turnover and vacancy rates and salaries of correctional staff. 

Senator Moreno next provided an overview of the Department of Law budget and the request for funds to increase the number of judges and probation officers.  The committee asked questions about backlogs, criminal appeals, filings, and caseload management. 

Senator Moreno explained the Department of Public Safety budget request.  Committee members asked questions about Community Corrections and Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB).  

Representative Esgar explained that SMART Act hearings in the future may be moved to the first week of the legislative session in an effort to better solicit committee input.  Representative Weissman suggested the SOMB budget be delineated to show polygraph costs.