Committee approves bill to create state fund for bulletproof vests

A House Appropriations Committee voted Monday to report Senate Bill 143 favorable as amended, advancing a proposal to create a special protective equipment fund to finance bulletproof vests for peace officers.

Miss Little read the bill, introduced on behalf of Senator Edmonds, saying the fund would be created in the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and could be seeded by grants, donations and other revenue sources. "It requires the funds to be used exclusively for purchasing bulletproof vests, for law enforcement officers," Miss Little said. The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement would adopt rules for distribution.

Committee members adopted a non‑substantive amendment (set 5,547) that standardizes the fund language to conform with other statute language. The amendment was offered by Representative LaFleur and described by Miss Little as not changing policy but aligning statutory language.

Representative Amadez moved the bill favorably as amended; with no objection the committee reported SB 143 favorable as amended.

The bill text states the fund may accept grants and donations; it does not require an allocation from HB 1. The committee did not record a roll‑call vote in the transcript; the clerk announced the bill would be reported favorable as amended.

What's next: reporting the bill favorably moves it on in the legislative process; the transcript does not specify the next committee or floor action.