(RALEIGH) -- State House lawmakers advanced a bill that supporters say will reduce the state prison population and deter probation violations. The House tentatively passed the measure with a vote of 107-9.

The so-called "Justice Reinvestment Act" would revise sentencing guidelines and give probation officers broader discretion in choosing punishment when supervising offenders.  Proponents said the legislation would save the state nearly $290 million over the next six years by reducing the need for more than 3,000 state prison beds. Supporters also argued that some of those savings could then be reinvested into treatment programs that reduce crime.

“We are no longer talking just tough on crime,” said co-sponsor Rep. Alice Bordsen, D-Alamance. “We are talking together about being smart on crime. That is a huge thing for us.”

The bill would give supervising officers the ability to bypass court hearings if offenders violate the terms of their probation. Instead, officers could opt for punishments such as short-term incarceration, electronic monitoring or community service. Estimates provided by non-partisan legislative staff suggest that more than half of prison admissions result from probation revocation.

“The focus of [the bill] is not letting more people out of prison,” said Eddie Caldwell, a lobbyist for the N.C. Sheriffs Association. “It is keeping people from committing the violations that are sending them to prison.”

The reform effort would allow all first-time felony drug possession offenders to take advantage of a deferred prosecution program. That initiative is currently only available to those charged with a misdemeanor or felony possession of less than an ounce of cocaine. In addition, the bill creates a rehabilitative program that could ultimately reduce prison time for those convicted of other drug-possession crimes.

“If we do not deal with the underlying issues and provide the treatment that’s necessary in order for offenders to come out of prison and to be supervised in our community…we’ll see them at the front door of the courthouse again,” said co-sponsor Rep. David Guice, R-Transylvania. “This legislation provides for that.”

Guice acknowledged the bill would require hiring more probation officers, but he said the overall savings would more than offset that expense. He added that other states such as Arizona, Georgia and Hawaii have seen successful outcomes as a result of similar changes to correctional policies.

In addition, the legislation would revise penalties for habitual felons, which could reduce the time served for low-level felonies. Those convicted of two or more burglary-related offenses could also be classified as a separate type of habitual offender.

The House is schedule to hold a final floor vote on Thursday. The bill would then head to the Senate.