Rep. Armando Martinez files two private jail transparency bills

Representative Armando "Mando" Martinez has introduced two bills intended toi increase transparency and public participation when the a county attempts to privatization a jail:

• HB 2072 is set for a hearing today in the County Affairs Committee.  The bill would require that County Commissioners consult the local collective bargaining unit in communities where Sheriff's officers have been granted collective bargaining power by voters. The bill will receive a hearing today at 10:30am or upon adjournment.  
• HB 2569, is very similar to last session's HB 3903 which was dubbed the private jail accountability bill and was effectively killed on the House floor.  HB 2569 would similarly subject private jails to the same open records law as public facilities, mandate that counties hold hearings before privatizing their county jails, and make it illegal for public officials such as sheriffs to be on the payrolls of private prison corporations.  The bill has been referred to County Affairs, but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. 

We'll keep you posted on developments on these bills.