Whereas, current law allowing the State Police to provide services to governmental and nongovernmental entities at cost will expire on July 30, 2002; and

Whereas, the services are for public safety purposes and there is a definite need to provide those services uninterrupted because the State Police receives numerous and continuing requests to provide services; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 25 MRSA §1502, 4th ¶, as amended by PL 1999, c. 653, §1, is further amended to read:

Upon the request of a federal agency or other person, the State Police may provide assistance for public safety purposes only to the federal agency or other person. The Chief of the State Police may charge the various federal agencies or other persons for these services. Revenues received from these agencies and other persons must be allocated for the purpose of funding the cost of providing the services. Beginning January 2001 and annually thereafter, the The State Police shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice matters no later than January 15th of each year concerning the assistance provided to federal agencies and other persons during the previous calendar year. The report must contain information about the types of services provided, the number of services and the fees charged by the Chief of the State Police. This paragraph is repealed July 30, 2002.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill removes language that would sunset the State Police's ability to provide services for public safety purposes at cost to governmental and nongovernmental entities.