In the first session of the 6th Congress of the State Senate, Senator ISpilledMyTacos introduced SB489, the Enhance, Redefine and Repurpose Public Safety and Security Resources Act, a bill purportedly aimed at clarifying the State’s intelligence framework.
The bill designates the Office of State Intelligence as the central coordinating authority for intelligence and counterintelligence operations, while notably excluding municipal and county law enforcement from any oversight of the office, an interesting design choice, considering Senator Tacos simultaneously serves as the county sheriff.
SB489 further attempts to repeal the entirety of the State Security Act and dismantle the Office of Oversight and Compliance, effectively removing core mechanisms responsible for intelligence classification, review, and accountability. The bill offers little explanation as to how intelligence operations would remain regulated in the absence of these functions.
Additionally, Senator Tacos proposes redirecting all crimes committed by members of the State Government to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, before transferring matters to the District Attorney’s Office. The effect of this provision would significantly expand county authority over state-level misconduct, again raising questions about the concentration of power at the county level.
The Mayflower Public Broadcasting Service asked Attorney General sadoimpacto regarding the attempt at removing oversight of State Government from the Department of Justice, he stated: “There is no monopoly over criminal justice. Law enforcement functions as a partnership among equal agencies, and the Department of Justice has always worked intelligently and professionally with the District Attorney, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and our other state and local law enforcement partners. It is therefore somewhat puzzling for legislation to imply otherwise by requiring the DOJ and its principal law enforcement partner, the MBI, to redirect cases on a mandatory basis, particularly when no reciprocal obligation exists. Public safety is best served when agencies operate on equal footing and matters are handled by those most appropriately equipped to do so.”
Nearing the end of Senator Tacos bill, a clause was found, stating “Within the Mayflower State Code, 3 M.S.C. 1 § 1207 shall be declared null and void in full.”, which is rather interesting, as this statute does not exist within the Mayflower State Code. What may have caused this? Confusion? Incompetency? Who knows!
SB489 has been vetoed by Governor AnakinT0ast after passing the State Senate.