Provides relative to funding of bulletproof vests for peace officers. (gov sig)

SB 143 Original 2026 Regular Session Edmonds

Present law requires that upon request, the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) provide bulletproof vests to every peace officer in the state of La. provided that funds are appropriated for this purpose. Further provides that to the extent that funds are not appropriated for this purpose, DPS&C may make available for purchase to law enforcement agencies bulletproof vests no longer utilized by the department for which the manufacturer warranty has expired. Proposed law retains present law.

Proposed law requires the La. Commission on Law Enforcement and the Admin. of Criminal Justice to adopt administrative rules and regulations necessary for the administration and enforcement of proposed law, including but not limited to the standards for the issuance of bulletproof vests; that the vests shall meet U. S. Dept. of Justice, National Institute for Justice standards; and that the vests shall be wholly manufactured within nations that are a party to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement entered into force on July 1, 2020.

Proposed law creates the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections Special Protective Equipment Fund (fund) in the state treasury for the purposes of funding bulletproof vests for peace officers. Proposed law requires monies in the fund to be invested in the same manner as monies in the general fund. Proposed law provides that interest earned on investment of monies be credited to the fund and requires that unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year remain in the fund.

Proposed law requires the state treasurer, beginning July 1, 2026, and each July first thereafter, to deposit into the fund at the beginning of each fiscal year $8,500,000 from the state general fund. Proposed law further authorizes the treasurer to deposit into the fund gifts, grants, donations, or monies from any source designated for the fund.

Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

(Amends R.S. 40:2405.1(A); adds R.S. 40:2405.1(E) and (F))