The bill amends AS 33.30.061 to grant the commissioner of corrections the authority to take measures aimed at reducing the costs associated with housing prisoners. This includes the ability to consolidate existing facilities and designate the placement of prisoners in out-of-state facilities. Additionally, if a prisoner has more than seven years remaining on their sentence and is placed in an out-of-state facility, the commissioner is required to ensure that the prisoner is housed separately from non-resident prisoners.

Furthermore, the Department of Corrections is mandated to annually estimate the cost savings resulting from these actions and report this information as part of its submissions under AS 37.07.050. The bill also allows the legislature to appropriate funds equivalent to the estimated annual cost savings for educational purposes.

Statutes affected:
SB0126A, AM SB 126, introduced 03/12/2025: 33.30.061