This bill amends AS 33.30.061 to enhance the authority of the commissioner of corrections regarding the placement of prisoners and to require the Department of Corrections to report on cost savings. New subsections are added, allowing the commissioner to investigate ways to reduce housing costs for prisoners, which includes consolidating existing facilities and designating placements at out-of-state facilities.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a prisoner has more than seven years remaining in their sentence and is placed in an out-of-state facility, they must be housed separately from non-resident prisoners. The Department of Corrections is also mandated to estimate and report the annual cost savings from these actions, which can be appropriated by the legislature for educational purposes.

Statutes affected:
HB0172A, AM HB 172, introduced 04/03/2025: 33.30.061