This week at the APA...

The APA has been VERY busy this week at the legislature. The association was weighed-in on proposed gun legislation, police practice and procedure proposals, retirement issues, and the budget just to name a few.

First and foremost, the APA’s primary concern this week was the protection of State Shared Revenues, funding streams and viability of some state agencies and protecting our member’s pension and their pension systems.

The APA’s bills are moving along successfully. So far we have encountered little opposition to these bills. The APA has worked with and will continue to work with many stakeholders in the criminal justice arena including the various police and correction officer associations as well as the Chief’s and Sheriff’s association to ensure their current understanding of our proposals.

The third party employer issue is still a major problem for many of our associations. This matter has also lead to some very contentious moments at the capitol this week. The APA is working diligently (and daily) on this issue because it has been designated as a high priority by the Board of Directors. I am confident that a just and fair solution will be found to this problem within the next few weeks.

Gun legislation has also been a high priority for the association this week. As expected, APA members are equally split on gun rights (ownership, registration and restrictions). Some believe that the 2nd amendment should be the overriding factor to our position while others believe that some licensing requirements and gun permit restrictions are important for officer safety and criminal investigations. The APA has been working with all stakeholders on this issue and because of our involvement many of the bills now moving forward have been amended to address your stances and concerns. The APA will continue to work on these issues but it is my belief that a fundamental change to our gun registration and right carry laws is coming.

The APA approached the Special Legislative Session this week with an open mind. The APA’s decision to support the proposed budget measures was difficult but necessary to maintain police, enforcement and correction services statewide. If these bills had not passed, I believe state shared revenue would have been placed in jeopardy as would the continuation of some state enforcement and correction agencies.

Next week does not appear to be a major legislation week for the APA. One bill of minor importance (HB2602) would permit police officers access to County Recorder records, which are otherwise restricted, while they are working in concert with their official duties. Here is the verbiage within the bill:

"This section does not prohibit access to the records of the county recorder by parties to the instrument, A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER PERFORMING THE OFFICER'S OFFICIAL DUTIES, a title insurer, a title insurance agent or an escrow agent licensed by the department of insurance or the department of financial institutions."

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