Substitute Senate Bill No. 1489 proposes the establishment of regional police forces by allowing two or more municipalities, each with populations of up to fifty thousand, to combine their police departments. Effective July 1, 2025, municipalities interested in forming a regional police force must submit an application to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, outlining the proposed structure, financial plans, and public safety measures during the transition. The bill mandates the creation of a regional police authority, which will consist of representatives from the member municipalities and will oversee policy decisions, budget approvals, and public safety standards. Additionally, member municipalities will share liability for actions taken by the regional police force and jointly cover the cost of liability insurance based on their populations.

The bill also introduces a regional police force incentive grant program, which will be administered by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection starting in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. This program will provide grants to member municipalities for various costs associated with establishing and operating a regional police force, including construction of facilities and law enforcement equipment, with a priority for municipalities with populations of less than thirty thousand. The implementation of this bill may incur significant costs for the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, while potentially generating revenue for eligible municipalities, depending on the number of applications received and the funding allocated for the grant program.