HI SCR149

Requests the State Auditor to conduct a financial audit of commissary operations at out-of-state correctional facilities contracted to house Hawaii inmates.

Audit must determine total annual commissary revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year preceding the audit.

Audit must examine criteria used to select commissary items, pricing methods for inmate purchases, and any contractual agreements with third parties operating commissaries.

Hawaii inmates at Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona face an additional 4% commissary surcharge for restitution plus Arizona's sales tax (over 9%), while already having 25% monthly deductions from inmate accounts.

Auditor must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 Regular Session convenes.