SB143
To Authorize The Division Of Arkansas State Police To Coordinate With Local Sheriffs And The Division Of Community Correction In Crime Reduction And Prevention Activities.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 143 authorizes the Arkansas State Police to collaborate with local county sheriffs and the Division of Community Correction on crime reduction and prevention initiatives. It specifically empowers state troopers and participating deputy sheriffs to assist with probation, parole, and post-release supervision duties. The bill authorizes a $100 million transfer from state sales and use tax collections to the Division of Arkansas State Police to fund these activities. Furthermore, the bill outlines the specific duties and limitations of designated officers involved in these programs, expressly prohibiting them from conducting no-knock warrants, performing warrantless searches, or detaining individuals without reasonable cause to arrest. It also provides a framework for the Director of the Arkansas State Police to enter into compensation agreements with county sheriffs for their participation in these initiatives.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this legislation include the Division of Arkansas State Police and local county sheriff departments, which will receive additional funding and expanded collaborative authority. The Division of Community Correction also benefits from the additional support and personnel to assist with its supervision caseloads. Additionally, the state government and the public are intended beneficiaries, as the bill aims to bolster crime reduction and prevention efforts across the state through increased inter-agency cooperation.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary negative impact of this bill falls on the state general revenue fund, as $100 million is redirected from general sales and use tax collections to fund these specific programs. Furthermore, critics or those concerned with civil liberties might argue that expanding the involvement of state police in community supervision could potentially lead to increased surveillance or over-policing, although the bill explicitly includes protections against warrantless searches and no-knock warrants to mitigate some of these concerns.
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