We are taking immediate action on law enforcement agencies more efficient while also improving services provided. I believe this approach is the best approach, Bentley said.
I dont look at is as competition, Marsh said last week regarding the two study groups.
This proposal, like many others well take up this session, will fundamentally change the landscape of state government and we know that wont be easy, Marsh said in a statement.
Bentley will name current Homeland Security Director Spencer Collier to the post of Senior Law Enforcement Advisor.
This bill also would eliminate the Department of Homeland Security and transfer its functions to other state agencies.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Afirs would take over the administration of homeland security grants.
But we owe it to the taxpayers to move heaven and earth on their behalf to make sure were living within our means. We look forward to working with various stakeholders to address any concerns they may have, info on insurance but the bottom line is we will be moving forward, Marsh said.
The goal we all share is increasing efficiency in state-level law enforcement. We are all bringing new ideas to the table, and the end result for the public will be greater government efficiency and improved public safety. We will be presenting some legislation in the near future to outline further methods of achieving this goal.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama The Republican leader of the Alabama Senate and Gov. Robert Bentley are putting forth rival proposals to revamp state public safety functions with both saying their goal is to increase efficiency.
We owe it to Alabama taxpayers to operate state government in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible, and I applaud Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh and the Initiative to Streamline Government for their efforts to do just that. I look forward to working with Senator Marsh, members of the Senate and House, as well as with the Governor, to ensure that these much-needed reforms are implemented, speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, said in a statement.
Although Bentley and Marsh are both Republican, they each had their own study groups on efficiency.
Marsh spokesman Derek Trotter said, Weve worked closely with Governor Bentley on this effort over the past year, have maintained a great working relationship, and expect that to continue.
Marsh said Alabama now has 20 agencies with law enforcement or investigative missions, which he said is more than twice the number in neighboring states. He said his proposal would take that down to seven by merging troopers,Legal Consultant online. the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, game wardens and other investigators under one umbrella agency.
The Public Safety Department would consist of state troopers, game wardens and the law enforcements units at the Department of Revenue and other officers.
The Department of Investigation would include the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the state fire marshal, enforcement unit of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, the Alabama Criminal Justice Information System, Alabama Forestry Commission investigators and others.
Marsh said the goal is to merge the various state investigative units and the people who carry the guns and badges into one agency and share resources. He estimated it could save $260 million over the course of a decade
Bentley issued a statement saying they shared the same goal but he thought he was taking the best approach.
Bentleys office indicated Collier will continue in his role at Homeland Security, but also coordinate effostudy of law Republicans push separate plans for law enforcement overhaulrts to streamline state law enforcement functions.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, has proposed a sweeping reorganization of state law enforcement functions that would consolidate many agencies and eliminate the state Department of Homeland Security. Marsh has filed legislation for the session that begins Feb. 5.
Marshs bill is one of several GOP proposals aimed at reducing the size of government. Other proposals are expected to look at consolidating legislative office and information technology functions of government.
Bentley has scheduled a Tuesday press conference to announce his own plans to increase efficiency measures among law enforcement agencies.
Marshs proposal would create the Public Safety Agency with separate departments of Public Safety,Online Education. Investigations and Public Safety Training.