Signed by Governor Bill Lee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits city police boards from exercising independent subpoena powers to investigate law enforcement agencies.

Highlights:

• Amends previous law to specify that a community oversight board will be limited to the review and consideration of matters reported to the board and the issuance of advisory reports and recommendations on the duly elected or appointed officials (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a community oversight board from issuing subpoenas for documents or to compel witness testimony (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this subsection does not prohibit a local legislative body from issuing a subpoena (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a subpoena issued on behalf of a community oversight board by a local legislative body must (Sec. 1):

• Be issued pursuant to majority vote of the local legislative body;

• Not be issued as a blanket authorization; 

• Specify each document to be produced or witness to testify; and

• Not be issued for documents that are confidential under section 10-7-504.

• Defines “community oversight board” as a board or committee established by a local government to investigate or oversee investigation into possible law enforcement officer misconduct or the operations of an agency employing a law enforcement officer (Sec. 1).

• Requires that employees or members of a community oversight board be registered to vote in the jurisdiction where the community oversight board is established (Sec. 1).

• Requires that by February 1 of each year, a community oversight board shall submit a report to the state house of representatives and senate, that provides documentation of the following information, including (Sec. 1):

• The number and nature of matters reported to the board;

• The number and nature of reviews conducted by the board; and

• The number and nature of advisory reports and recommendations issued by the board.

• Requires community oversight boards in existence as of the effective date of this act to comply, within one year from the effective date of this act, with the following membership requirements (Sec. 1 & 2):

• All employees or members of a community oversight board must be a registered voter of the jurisdiction for which the community oversight board is established; and

• Community oversight boards cannot restrict or limit membership based upon demographics, economic status, or employment history.

• Specifies that this law will go into effect immediately upon its passage (Sec. 3).

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits city police boards from exercising independent subpoena powers to investigate law enforcement agencies.

Highlights:

• Amends previous law to specify that a community oversight board will be limited to the review and consideration of matters reported to the board and the issuance of advisory reports and recommendations on the duly elected or appointed officials (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a community oversight board from issuing subpoenas for documents or to compel witness testimony (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this subsection does not prohibit a local legislative body from issuing a subpoena (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a subpoena issued on behalf of a community oversight board by a local legislative body must (Sec. 1):

• Be issued pursuant to majority vote of the local legislative body;

• Not be issued as a blanket authorization; 

• Specify each document to be produced or witness to testify; and

• Not be issued for documents that are confidential under section 10-7-504.

• Defines “community oversight board” as a board or committee established by a local government to investigate or oversee investigation into possible law enforcement officer misconduct or the operations of an agency employing a law enforcement officer (Sec. 1).

• Requires that employees or members of a community oversight board be registered to vote in the jurisdiction where the community oversight board is established (Sec. 1).

• Requires that by February 1 of each year, a community oversight board shall submit a report to the state house of representatives and senate, that provides documentation of the following information, including (Sec. 1):

• The number and nature of matters reported to the board;

• The number and nature of reviews conducted by the board; and

• The number and nature of advisory reports and recommendations issued by the board.

• Requires community oversight boards in existence as of the effective date of this act to comply, within one year from the effective date of this act, with the following membership requirements (Sec. 1 & 2):

• All employees or members of a community oversight board must be a registered voter of the jurisdiction for which the community oversight board is established; and

• Community oversight boards cannot restrict or limit membership based upon demographics, economic status, or employment history.

• Specifies that this law will go into effect immediately upon its passage (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits city police boards from exercising independent subpoena powers to investigate law enforcement agencies.

Highlights:

• Amends previous law to specify that a community oversight board will be limited to the review and consideration of matters reported to the board and the issuance of advisory reports and recommendations on the duly elected or appointed officials (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a community oversight board from issuing subpoenas for documents or to compel witness testimony (Sec. 1).

• Defines “community oversight board” as a board or committee established by a local government to investigate or oversee investigation into possible law enforcement officer misconduct or the operations of an agency employing a law enforcement officer (Sec. 1).

• Requires that employees or members of a community oversight board be registered to vote in the jurisdiction where the community oversight board is established (Sec. 1).

• Requires that by February 1 of each year, a community oversight board shall submit a report to the state house of representatives and senate, that provides documentation of the following information, including (Sec. 1):

• The number and nature of matters reported to the board;

• The number and nature of reviews conducted by the board; and

• The number and nature of advisory reports and recommendations issued by the board.

• Specifies that this law will go into effect immediately upon its passage (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text