AB 900 Jail Construction Funding

AB 900 was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger on May 3, 2007 appropriating $1.2 billion in jail construction funding through state lease-revenue bonds. In administering this funding, CSA will utilize a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process for determining awards.

Highlights of AB 900 Legislation

• $1.2 billion in lease-revenue bond financing for jail construction
  - $750 million in Phase I; $470 million in Phase II
  - Phase I funding expires in 2017
• The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Public Works Board and the County will enter into agreements related to performance expectations, guidelines and criteria for use of the bonds, and ongoing maintenance and staffing responsibilities for the term of the financing
• CSA shall consider cost-effectiveness in determining approval of a project
• County matching funds for projects shall be a minimum of 25 percent of total project costs; however, CSA may reduce matching fund requirements for a county with a general population below 200,000 upon the county’s petition to the CSA
• Funding preference shall be given to counties that:
  - Assist the state in siting reentry facilities
  - Assist the state in siting mental health day treatment and crisis care for parolees
  - Provide a continuum of care so that parolees with mental health and substance abuse needs can continue to receive services at the conclusion of their period of parole
• Phase II funds may not be accessed until the following conditions have been met:
  - At least 4,000 of the local jail beds are under construction or sited
  - At least 2,000 of the reentry beds are under construction or sited