Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training details statutory cleanups in HB12‑48 (ELITA package)

House Bill 12‑48, the ELITA package for the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST), was presented in detail by Director Jamie Cook and approved by the committee by voice vote.

Cook said the bill would adjust 12 statutes to reduce ambiguity: add state agencies to statutory lists to ensure uniformity across agencies; eliminate a two‑tier part‑time certification scheme (removing 'part time 1' and 'part time 2' and instead defining full time and part time, using 24 hours as the practical part‑time cutoff); allow the commission to create records in its learning management system before auxiliary officers complete training (so auxiliaries can be appointed and later assigned training); remove an out‑of‑place retirement provision from the commission chapter and defer retirement benefits rules to LOTFI/APERS; change radar certification language from discretionary to mandatory; update paperwork submission rules to reflect automated systems; clarify decertification language to ensure intended permanent disbarment remains available; and add CLEST to the list of entities that may access sealed records for background checks and decertification hearings.

Committee members asked whether retired officers remain certified; Cook said certification remains active for three years with recertification requirements thereafter and that after 10 years an officer would have to reattend the police academy. Members also questioned whether any of the proposed statutory language would conflict with pending agency reorganization bills; staff said the bill was drafted in consultation with the governor's office and would be edited if necessary. After no audience testimony, the sponsor moved to pass and the committee approved HB 12‑48 by voice vote.