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AGENDA ITEM REPORT

Title: Report on Request for Approval of Proposed Legislation
REPORT PROFILE
MEETING DATE
10/22/2015		 BUREAU SUBMITTING THIS REPORT
Executive Office
RESEARCHED BY (PRINT NAME)
Anita DeYoung		 REVIEWED BY (PRINT NAME)
Dave Cornejo
REPORT DATE
10/02/2015		 APPROVED BY
Robert A. Stresak		 DATE APPROVED
10/06/15
PURPOSE
Decision Requested		 FINANCIAL IMPACT
Yes

ISSUE, BACKGROUND, ANALYSIS, & RECOMMENDATION
ISSUE:
Should the Commission authorize the Executive Director to seek legislation to add a Peace Officer Training Account fund to the voluntary contributions tax check-off on the state tax forms?
BACKGROUND:
The Commission has previously directed staff to identify alternative sources of funding to address the structural deficit of the Peace Officer Training Fund (POTF).  One such alternative could include legislation to create an additional funding source in order for POST to continue to develop and provide mandated training and reimbursement for local law enforcement.  POST's primary funding source comes from the State Penalty Assessment Fund into the Peace Officer Training Fund.  Revenue from both funds has steadily declined over the past five years resulting in persistent operational shortfalls for POST.
ANALYSIS:

A statutory change is needed to generate additional funding for POST.

This legislation may have a significant impact on increasing POST’s ability to develop and provide mandated training and reimbursement to law enforcement. Potentially, this funding source could resolve some of POST’s budget deficit problems.  POST would be able to assume additional training expenditures of law enforcement agencies allowing them to allocate their funds towards other areas such as additional positions and equipment (e.g., body worn cameras).

If no legislative action is taken with this proposal, the training budgets of POST and local law enforcement agencies will consequently continue to be constrained and training reduced.  Members of the public could suffer the consequences of reduced or inadequate training for peace officers.  

The attached proposed legislation explains why this legislation is necessary and includes draft language to create a new Revenue and Taxation Code for the voluntary contributions tax check-off which adds the new Peace Officer Training Account fund to the state tax form (See Attachment A).    
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Commission authorize the Executive Director to seek legislation to add a Peace Officer Training Account fund to the voluntary contributions tax check-off on the state tax forms.
 
ATTACHMENT(S):
Name: Type:
Attachment_A_-_Proposed_Legislation_Tax_Check-Off_(3).doc Backup Material