Senate Bill 318 establishes a pilot program administered by the Department of Administration to provide grants to small law enforcement agencies for training costs associated with new law enforcement and tribal law enforcement officers. A small law enforcement agency is defined as one that employs 25 or fewer full-time equivalent, nonsupervisory law enforcement officers. Agencies can apply for grants if they anticipate a vacancy due to an officer leaving or retiring within six months or if they have a vacancy rate of 20% or higher. The grants are specifically designated for training preservice law enforcement officer students and covering on-the-job training costs for new recruits during their first six months of employment.

The bill stipulates that individuals whose training is funded through the program must commit to working for the agency for one year post-training. If they leave voluntarily or are terminated for cause, the Department of Administration may seek repayment of training costs on a prorated basis. Additionally, the program will terminate 18 months after all grant funding has been disbursed. The bill also includes provisions for the department to maintain a list of eligible small law enforcement agencies and outlines the process for grant application and distribution.