Introduced by Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, S.B. 17-12 aims to help DPS pay for its various expenses such as the cost of compensating employees for working more than 40 hours in a calendar week or for any other work completed that is considered to be overtime, and the recruiting and training of new officers.
The expenditure authority of the proposed operating fund is the DPS commissioner.
“The Legislature finds that the Department of Public Safety provides essential services to each and every member of the public. The Legislature further finds that the dedication, hard work, and diligence of DPS employees must be recognized and compensated,” Manglona stated in his bill.
He noted that the current DPS budget does not allow the department to “efficiently and effectively” carry out its duties and responsibilities without extensive reprogramming.
“The DPS operating fund will assist DPS in performing its task of protecting the safety and general welfare of the public,” Manglona added.
