AR HB1283

Increases minimum annual contingent expense allowances for the First Judicial District prosecuting attorney: Cross County ($5,000), Lee County ($4,000), Monroe County ($4,000), Phillips County ($5,000), St. Francis County ($5,000), and Woodruff County ($4,000).

Establishes each county's responsibility through annual appropriations to fund office expenses including facilities, equipment, supplies, travel, insurance, and investigation costs for the prosecuting attorney's office.

Authorizes the prosecuting attorney to appoint one investigator with a minimum $30,000 annual salary, with costs distributed among counties by percentage (Cross County 18%, Lee County 14%, Monroe County 18%, Phillips County 18%, St. Francis County 18%, Woodruff County 14%).

Requires investigators to be certified law enforcement officers with authority to issue process, serve warrants, and possess law enforcement officer powers, with fees deposited into hot check fees account.

Mandates Phillips County appropriate a minimum $35,000 for prosecuting attorney office expenses and requires employment of at least one secretary/administrative assistant ($24,500 minimum) and one secretary ($18,000 minimum), with all related salary expenses paid by the county.