This bill mandates that county sheriffs oversee all federal law enforcement actions within their counties, granting them the authority to halt any unauthorized or improperly conducted actions. Specifically, it adds a new paragraph to RSA 104:5, which states that sheriffs and their deputies must maintain a nonparticipating presence during the execution of federal warrants and arrests to ensure the rights of New Hampshire residents are upheld. Furthermore, sheriffs are required to receive advance notice from federal law enforcement agencies regarding any actions in their counties. If prior notice is not provided or if best practices for minimizing deadly force are not followed, sheriffs can deem such actions unauthorized and terminate them.

The bill's implementation may lead to increased costs for county sheriffs, as it necessitates their presence at all federal warrant services and arrests, potentially resulting in overtime expenses. Additionally, the requirement for advance notification from federal agencies could lead to litigation, as counties lack the authority to compel federal compliance. The fiscal impact on county revenues and expenditures is currently indeterminable, with the New Hampshire Association of Counties indicating that these new responsibilities fall outside the current scope of work for sheriff's offices. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 104:5