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Committee approves bill to free up state police funds collected from auto auction fees
Summary
House Bill 1988 would allow the Arkansas State Police to use half of accumulated administrative fees from the state-administered auto auction program—about $900,000 total—by transferring at least half to the State Police general operations fund; the measure passed in committee on a voice vote.
Representative Tosh presented a bill on behalf of the Arkansas State Police that seeks to free a portion of fees collected from the state-administered auto auction program.
Joan Shipley, chief of staff for the Department of Public Safety, told the committee that legislation enacted when the state police were given responsibility for auto auctions included an administrative fee that “had to be used strictly for the administration of that program.” She said the program has accumulated about $900,000 and the department cannot use that money because of the original statutory language.
Shipley said the state police requested that at least half of the accumulated funds be transferred to the Arkansas State Police general operations fund to allow flexibility for uses such as equipment updates; Secretary Mike Hager, director of the state police and Department of Public Safety, was present to answer questions.
Representative Richmond asked whether Senator Payton had approved the measure; Representative Tosh said he had not heard from the senator. After no public opposition and no committee questions, Representative Richmond moved to pass the bill; the committee approved it on a voice vote.
Shipley gave an example of intended uses, noting troopers “are in need to update their tasers,” but the bill’s text delegates exact uses to the State Police once funds are transferred. The hearing record does not include a roll‑call vote; passage was recorded by voice vote.
