HB2203 - Law Enforcement Summary

• Establishes an enforcement division within the Department of the Attorney General with law enforcement officers, investigators, and specialized personnel with full police powers including arrest authority.

• Transfers law enforcement functions from three departments to the Attorney General effective July 1, 2019: conservation and resources enforcement from Department of Land and Natural Resources; state law enforcement officers and narcotics enforcement investigators from Department of Public Safety; and harbors law enforcement from Department of Transportation.

• Maintains a list of independent civil process servers to serve legal documents (writs, garnishments, orders to show cause) with strict eligibility requirements including no criminal convictions within 10 years and current tax license.

• Exempts Attorney General enforcement division vehicles from all state and county parking fees and meter restrictions during official duties.

• Requires the Attorney General enforcement division to obtain accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.