Introduced Version
Senate Concurrent Resolution 12 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12
(By Senator
s 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.
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