HB 1333 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Code § 12-8-202(a) to allow nonimmigrants legally admitted under a Compact of Free Association to serve as Arkansas State Police officers, provided they become citizens before commencing employment.

• Adds new Arkansas Code § 12-9-124 establishing eligibility requirements for certified law enforcement officers: applicants must be either U.S. citizens or nonimmigrants legally admitted under a Compact of Free Association entered into on or before January 1, 2021.

• Removes citizenship requirement from Arkansas Code § 12-9-304(j) for auxiliary law enforcement officers, replacing it with the same Compact of Free Association eligibility standard as full-time certified officers.

• Requires all employment of police officers to be based strictly on efficiency regardless of race, gender, religion, or political affiliation.

• Designates the law as the "Marshallese Law Enforcement Act."