Committee approves bill letting counties compensate reserve deputies after conceptual amendment

The House Local Government Committee advanced House Bill 323 after executive action, approving the measure as amended to permit counties to compensate reserve deputy sheriff officers.

Representative Sprunger moved that House Bill 323 "do pass." Members discussed a conceptual amendment to change the bill's title language from "salary" to "compensation;" Representative Elvrom (Elverum) and Representative Aspen supported the technical change and the committee approved the conceptual amendment by voice vote. Representative Cogner summarized the bill as a small statutory change: "All this bill does is add 1 sentence that a reserve deputy officer may be compensated in a matter determined by the county commissioner." The committee debated scope and training: some members said reserve deputies often receive substantial additional training and are a practical staffing option where agencies lack funds for full‑time hires, while others urged preference for fully post‑certified school resource officers for school assignments.

Representative Veil, among others, voiced concern that school resource officer (SRO) duties are distinct and require specific post‑certification training; she urged that reserve officers assigned to schools receive appropriate SRO training. Representative Sprunger and others described reserve programs as including ongoing training (the representative said many reserves receive 20–30 hours of additional training and post training). The committee recorded at least one 'no' vote (Representative Cordum) during the voice vote; several members voted by proxy (Representatives Fitzpatrick and Overstreet voted aye by proxy). The committee reported HB 323 as passed out of committee as amended.

What happens next: The bill will move to the next legislative stage with the committee's amendment; members noted floor amendments are possible to address training or certification specifics.