Committee hears multiple bills to let cities/counties use sales-tax credits or local-option levies to recruit and retain law enforcement

A cluster of bills heard Feb. 21 addressed how cities and counties might raise ongoing, local revenue to recruit and retain commissioned law enforcement officers and to fund complementary criminal-justice services.

Representative Amy Walen presented House Bill 10 95, which would authorize a local-option 0.1% sales-and-use tax credited against the state rate. The measure phases in authority by population (smaller jurisdictions may impose the tax in later years) and requires at least 50% of revenues be used to attract and retain additional commissioned law enforcement officers, with the remainder available for criminal-justice purposes, including domestic-violence services, behavioral-health response and legal advocacy. The bill would not require voter approval; it is levied by councilmanic action.

Representative Hunter Abel offered House Bill 18 96, a related proposal that would authorize a 0.1% tax credited…