SB 1531 Summary

• Eliminates the state capital postconviction public defender office and redirects related funding to county public defenders and the supreme court, with state reimbursement capped at fiscal year 2012-2013 appropriation levels.

• Repeals multiple criminal justice statutes and funds including the transition services fund, photo enforcement fund, and various fee/surcharge provisions from Laws 2011, chapter 33.

• Modifies private prison contracting requirements by removing performance comparison mandates and allowing contracts up to 10 years with two 5-year renewal options, while requiring proposals to demonstrate cost savings.

• Suspends various reporting requirements and nonsupplanting provisions for fiscal year 2012-2013 to reduce administrative costs in criminal justice agencies.

• Authorizes the state department of corrections to award contracts for up to 500 private prison beds effective January 1, 2014, and an additional 500 beds effective January 1, 2015, with further expansion requiring specific legislative authorization.