Bill Text: WV SCR12 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study funding sources for law-enforcement training and certification programs
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-19 - To Rules [SCR12 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2014-SCR12-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12
(By Senators Laird, Kessler (Mr. President), Palumbo, Unger and Plymale)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance authorize a study of the funding sources currently in place for law- enforcement training and certification programs within the state, the status of those funding sources and whether additional funding is necessary to ensure the continued training and certification of West Virginia law-enforcement officers.
Whereas, In 1981 the Legislature enacted West Virginia Code §30-29-4, which created a special revenue account known as the Law- Enforcement Professional Standards (LEPS) Fund, which consisted of a two-dollar fee added to court costs in all criminal proceedings and a two-dollar fee added to the amount of any cash or property bond posted to be deposited into the LEPS Fund upon forfeiture of the bond. The revenue source for the LEPS Fund has not been adjusted for inflation or amended in any way since 1981; and
Whereas, Individual law-enforcement entities are currently charged $1,500 for the entry-level training program required to gain initial certification as a West Virginia law-enforcement officer to help pay for the training. The demands on law- enforcement officers have changed significantly since 1981 due to changes in, among other things, technology and national security. The changing law-enforcement world has created a need for more specified training focusing on, among other things, homeland security and computer crimes; and
Whereas, Funds for the traditional law-enforcement training and certification are expended at a greater rate than funds are being deposited into the LEPS Fund. The LEPS Fund previously needed an emergency deposit of funds from a legal settlement in order to continue the law-enforcement training and certification program. Without any changes to the revenue sources, the State of West Virginia will be unable to pay for the law-enforcement training and certification program in Fiscal Year 2016-2017; and
Whereas, The current funding mechanism for the LEPS Fund does not fully meet the expenses of the current entry-level training and certification program and does not allow for any expenses toward the ongoing professional development and training of officers over their careers. A direct budget allotment may provide the necessary financial stability for the LEPS Fund and allow for elimination of fees, all while providing for a comprehensive and effective law- enforcement training and certification program for new and experienced officers; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to authorize a study of the funding sources currently in place for law-enforcement training and certification programs within the state, the status of those funding sources and whether additional funding is necessary to ensure the continued training and certification of West Virginia law-enforcement officers; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
