Illegal drug law enforcement initiative.

WORKING DRAFT
2007
STATE OF
WYOMING
07LSO-0611.E1

HOUSE BILL
NO.
HB0256

Illegal drug law enforcement initiative.

Sponsored by:
Representative(s) Quarberg, Gentile and White and Senator(s) Fecht

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to illegal drugs; increasing funding for law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys efforts to prosecute illegal use of methamphetamine and other controlled substances and to address associated problems; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming
:

Section 1.

(a)

There is appropriated two million dollars ($2,
0
00,000.00) from the general fund to the office of the attorney general for the
period
beginning
with the effective date of this act
, to provide funding for the purpose
s
of
purchasing law enforcement equipment, including canines,
employing law enforcement officers, public defenders and prosecuting attorneys, or providing overtime pay to current law enforcement officers to investigate and assist in the prosecution of offenses related to the use, sale or manufacture of methamphetamine or other controlled substances. Funds appropriated under this section may also be used to pay for tests for the use of illegal drugs and controlled substances for persons who have been convicted of a crime or adjudicated delinquents.
Equipment purchased pursuant to this subsection shall be limited to specialized equipment relating directly to the enforcement and investigation of offenses related to the use, sale or manufacture of methamphetamine or other controlled substances.

(b)

The attorney general shall establish criteria for reviewing and awarding grants under this section that meet the purposes set forth in subsection (a) of this section.
In addition, the attorney general shall establish a reporting system requiring recipients of grants under this section to report annually to him detailing the expenditure of funds and specifically describing accomplishments and quantifying results
.

(c)

Local governments, the
Wyoming
division of criminal investigation and the office of public defender may apply for grants under this section. Grant requests shall be reviewed by the attorney general's office who shall make recommendations for funding to the governor's advisory board on substance abuse and violent crime, which board shall determine the grants to be awarded. Any funds awarded under this section shall not be used to supplant funds currently being used by the grantee.

(d)

There is appropriated from the general fund
one million
dollars (
$1,0
00,000.00)
for the period beginning
with the effective date of this act
for competitive grants to cities and counties for probation services for juveniles sentenced to probation by circuit or municipal courts. In awarding grants, the attorney general shall consider:

(i)

The adequacy of the system proposed for identifying juveniles who are most at risk of progressing to serious drug offenses if not placed on probation to ensure that necessary treatment requirements are complied with;

(ii)

The availability of treatment resources which can treat the probationers; and

(iii)

The demonstrated need for financial resources of the local government applying.

(e)

Notwithstanding W.S. 9
‑
4
‑
207(a), any funds that are
unobligated or unencumbered
on June 30, 2008
, shall
not
revert to the general fund
and shall remain available for the attorney general to award as grants authorized under this act.

Section 2.
This act is effective immediately upon co
m
pletion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constit
u
tion.

(END)

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HB0256