"Joint Municipal Law Enforcement Act"; create.

HB 56, the "Joint Municipal Law Enforcement Act," allows two or more municipalities in counties with seven or more municipalities to form a shared police department if their local leaders determine it serves the community best. It establishes a governing board composed of each participating municipality's mayor and the county sheriff, which handles hiring, budgets, equipment, and policy for the joint department. The bill outlines a process where municipalities must adopt a resolution, gain mutual approval, and file with the Secretary of State to create the department. This directly affects qualifying municipalities seeking potential cost savings and more efficient law enforcement through shared resources.