Ben Leman Files Bill to Identify Local Governments Who Defund the Police
Representative Ben Leman (whose district includes Fayette County) filed legislation on Monday, March 8, as part of a series of bills filed this Legislative Session by other legislators to allow the criminal justice division of the governor’s office to identify municipalities and counties that adopt budgets that reduce the funding or personnel allocated for law enforcement agencies.
“We have a duty to support the law enforcement community, who risk their lives to enforce the laws that keep us safe and we cannot let local governments forcibly put our citizens in harm’s way by defunding law enforcement,” said Representative Ben Leman. “I appreciate Governor Abbott for backing the blue and making this issue a priority this Legislative Session. It is unfortunate that certain entities are choosing to decrease the budgets of local police departments in light of the protests and riots we saw last year. House Bill 3151 would create a clear definition to identify which local governments are reducing their police force and putting our citizens at danger.”
“Texas will always back the blue and support law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “It is important for the state to have a clear picture of which local jurisdictions are defunding the police so that we can better support and defend law enforcement and the communities they serve. I applaud Representative Leman for drafting this important piece of legislation.”
House Bill 3151 is one component of several bills that would ensure our public safety is protected. House Bill 3151 would amend the Local Government Code to define when a local government defunds the police. The final determination would be made by the criminal justice division of the governor’s office. A local law enforcement agency would be considered defunded if the local government adopts a budget for a fiscal year that is reduced from the previous year and that results in a reduction in the appropriation to the local governments’ law enforcement agency, the number of peace officers employed, compensation for overtime, or funding for the recruitment and training of new law enforcement officers.