Legislator introduces law enforcement bills

An Arkansas senator introduced a pair of law enforcement-related bills Friday that are similar to laws under consideration in other states.

The first piece of legislation filed by state Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, would restrict state funds from going to cities that enact “sanctuary policies,” in which the cities decide to not enforce federal immigration laws.

Stubblefield’s proposal also would punish cities that stop police from questioning people about their legal status in the United States.

Several cities in the U.S. have adopted laws to protect immigrants from prosecution if they violate immigration laws, though no such cities in Arkansas are known to exist.

Stubblefield could not be reached for comment at his listed business phone Friday evening.

A Texas lawmaker introduced a bill to prohibit socalled sanctuary cities last month, and the digital publication Texas Tribune reported the proposal has the support of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Republican President-elect Donald Trump similarly campaigned on a promise to stop federal funding from going to sanctuary cities.

Stubblefield also filed a bill to increase penalties for crimes committed against first responders, law enforcement officers and their families because of their job.

The bill would add a sentence enhancement of up to $500 and six months in a county jail for misdemeanors. The enhancement for a felony would be up to $5,000 and up to five years in state prison.

Actions that are considered a crime by virtue of being against a law enforcement officer or first responder would not be subject to an enhancement.

A similar bill introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate in October would label such offenses hate crimes and make them subject to a sentence enhancement. The Pennsylvania bill is listed as in committee.