Legislative Update:
Friday, March 16, 2007

 

 

PBA’s legislative agenda bills have received considerable attention this week as the legislative session has really begun to heat up.

While we still do not have bill numbers, much attention was given by our bill sponsors to specific language changes as the draft bills are nearing completion.

The LEO 25 Year Retirement draft was given to the Sheriff Association’s Lobbyist for recommendation and input this week. While we were advised that the sheriffs would be sending the bill back to bill drafting with any recommendations by this past Wednesday, that did not occur. The bill has been given its final tweaks and is supported as written by PBA, FOP, and the other LEO groups. Once the sheriffs have finished their final analysis, one way or the other, the bill should be filed as early as next week.

The Law Officer Discipline draft bill has received final modifications this week and will also likely be filed in the next week or two. A Senate companion bill to the House version, primarily sponsored by Grier Martin (last year’s Sponsor) and Representative Paul “Skip” Stam, has also been sent to bill drafting this week. PBA endorsed Senators Julia Boseman and Janet Cowell will be the primary co-sponsors of the Senate version.

An additional Due Process bill has also been sent to bill drafting and will be primary sponsored by PBA endorsed Senators Don East and Doug Berger.

Additional progress was also made on our other legislative agenda issues. Once the bills emerge in their final form, PBA will be moving rapidly to secure as many bill co-sponsors as possible. As always, stay tuned.