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Committee approves bill tying sheriff pay to law-enforcement certification; quorum courts to set pay floors
Summary
The committee passed House Bill 1725 to let quorum courts set sheriff salaries at the statutory minimum when an elected or appointed sheriff lacks law-enforcement certification; sponsors said the change is intended to encourage certification and professional training.
Representative Bart Shultz, sponsor of House Bill 1725, introduced the measure with testimony from Sheriff Sean Stevens of Independence County and Mark Whitmore of the Association of Counties. "What we're bringing before you today is House Bill 17 25," Shultz said, adding that the measure would amend compensation rules for sheriffs and encourage certification.
Sheriff Sean Stevens said many sheriffs work to obtain academy training after taking office, and he argued a certified sheriff better understands "what they can and cannot do." Mark Whitmore described the bill as a…
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