AR SB173

Amends Arkansas Code § 12-9-117 to allow the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training and state-funded law enforcement training academies to award service pistols to retiring or deceased officers' spouses if eligible to possess firearms.

Modifies Arkansas Code § 12-9-207 to permit newly elected county sheriffs and unopposed candidates to attend state-funded law enforcement training academies, with their county paying transportation costs.

Updates Arkansas Code § 12-9-209 to require reimbursement of law enforcement training expenses when a county, city, town, or state agency employs an officer within 18 months of training completion at a state-funded academy.

Clarifies that reimbursement obligations apply only to the first employer after the entity that paid for training, with an exception when the original employer terminates the officer.

Approved February 16, 2017.