Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Accountability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee refers bill to eliminate Post Advisory Council to the general register after heated testimony
Summary
Representative Novotny proposed eliminating the Public Safety Advisory Council; former Representative Carlos Mariani and others opposed the change, arguing the council preserves citizen oversight and state-level consistency.
Representative Novotny introduced House File 12 57, a proposal to eliminate the Public Safety Advisory Council created in 2020 to assist the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board on policy and civil-rights concerns.
Novotny said the council had "outlived its usefulness" and argued that the main POST Board and local oversight structures can absorb its duties. "The best work is done at a local level," Novotny told committee members.
Former Representative Carlos Mariani testified in opposition and urged members to retain the council as a state-level mechanism to rebuild public trust after the murder of George Floyd. "The council was just one response to the severe crisis of lost public confidence," Mariani said, adding that centralized citizen involvement promotes uniform adherence to civil and human rights across diverse local governments.
Members asked about compensation for council members and about letters from non-profit and state agencies opposing elimination; staff said the POST Board receives an ongoing appropriation of $20,000 for the council and that members receive per diem/travel but not regular salaries.
After testimony and member remarks, Representative Novotny moved to refer House File 12 57 to the general register; the motion prevailed and the bill was referred to the general register for further consideration.
