SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 5403

Correctional Facilities Financing and Capital Improvements
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SPONSOR
Justice Budget Subcommittee; Maney
FILED BY
Patt Maney — District 4, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Correctional Facilities Financing and Capital Improvements; Provides appropriation to DOC; requires appropriated funds to be used in certain manner; requires department to begin planning & design phase for construction of certain facilities; requires department to make certain recommendations to Legislature; requires department to contract with construction management entity in certain circumstances; authorizes Division of Bond Finance of SBA to issue bonds for certain purposes; creates financing oversight committee; provides membership & duties of committee. APPROPRIATION: Indeterminate

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Mandates $250M annual funding and new prison construction.

The Department of Corrections receives $250 million annually from 2026 through 2067 for capital improvements. This recurring funding replaces previous debt reduction transfers.

The department must begin planning a new 4,800-bed prison and a 600-bed hospital unit by July 2026. Site selection must prioritize favorable labor markets and commute distances.

Bond proceeds must pay debt service first, then address critical facility needs. Bonds cannot be issued for maintenance or repair of existing facilities.

A new financing oversight committee, including legislative and executive representatives, must recommend cost-beneficial financing methods for new construction projects.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Annual $250M Appropriation majors. 944.751(2)

AICreates a recurring $250 million annual appropriation from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Corrections for capital improvements, replacing the previous transfer to the Debt Reduction Program.

“the Legislature shall appropriate $250 million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund to the department to develop and implement a capital improvement plan for new and...” bill text, line 67 →
§ 2 Mandatory New Construction majors. 944.751(4)

AIRequires the Department of Corrections to begin planning and design for one new 4,800-bed correctional institution and one new 600-bed hospital unit with mental health services, starting July 1, 2026.

“the department shall begin the planning and design phase for the construction of one new 4,800- bed correctional institution and one new 600-bed hospital unit that will include...” bill text, line 84 →
§ 3 Bonding Authority majors. 944.751(6)(a)

AIAuthorizes the Division of Bond Finance to issue bonds to finance the construction of new correctional facilities, but explicitly prohibits issuing bonds for the maintenance or repair of existing facilities.

“Bonds shall not be issued for maintenance or repair of existing facilities.” bill text, line 110 →
§ 4 Financing Oversight Committee moderates. 944.751(7)

AICreates a financing oversight committee with representatives from the Senate, House, Governor's Office, Department of Corrections, and Division of Bond Finance to recommend cost-beneficial financing methods.

“a financing oversight committee is created. (a) The committee must include a representative from the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Office of Policy and Budget in the...” bill text, line 126 →
§ 5 Construction Management Contracting moderates. 944.751(5)(b)

AIRequires the Department of Corrections to contract with a construction management entity for any capital improvement project costing more than $5 million.

“For any project costing more than $5 million, the department shall contract with a construction management entity that will be responsible for scheduling and coordinating both the” bill text, line 98 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2)
3/3/2026
Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Amendments)
3/2/2026
Favorable with 1 amendment(s) by- Appropriations (282454); YEAS 17 NAYS 0
2/25/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 110...
2/20/2026
Conference Committee appointed
2/19/2026
Received
2/19/2026
Referred to Appropriations
2/19/2026
In Messages
2/19/2026
Requests that the Senate pass the bill as passed by the House or...
2/19/2026
Passed; YEAS 109, NAYS 0
2/19/2026
Read 3rd time
2/19/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/19/2026
Read 2nd time
2/16/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
2/16/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/19/2026)
2/16/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/16/2026
Filed
11 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 944.751
+660 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES