State Reps. Mike Harris and Alabas Farhat on Tuesday introduced a bipartisan plan to provide additional, dedicated funding to local law enforcement to keep Michigan communities safe.

The plan would set aside critical resources to expand local public safety and violence prevention efforts at a time when many police forces are facing serious officer shortages and other challenges interfering with crime prevention and public safety. Harris, a retired police sergeant, said supporting local law enforcement is a bipartisan priority.

“To keep Michigan residents safe in our neighborhoods, law enforcement needs some backup,” said Harris, R-Waterford. “The honorable officers conducting good, community-focused police work face a barrage of challenges on every front, from rampant criminal violence to political smears. Staff shortages only make these problems worse. That’s why representatives from both sides of the aisle are working together to support local law enforcement, crack down on crime, and make our communities safe.”

House Bills 4260 and 4261 would deposit a portion of state sales tax revenues into a new Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund to distribute to local law enforcement agencies, with an emphasis on communities experiencing higher rates of violent crime. Farhat touted the funding to address violent crime, projected at more than $100 million annually.

“This is a national model for keeping neighborhoods safe,” said Farhat, D-Dearborn. “We’re putting record funding into hiring more police officers, mental health services, and empowering local communities to reduce violent crime. Michigan has some of the highest rates of violence in the country. This fund directly supports the work of grassroots community violence intervention groups which has proven to reduce these rates.”

The bipartisan plan would fund local public safety initiatives, such as officer recruitment and retention, equipment purchases, and department operating expenses, but the bills would ensure that local governments use the new public safety funding to expand support for public safety, not to replace existing police funding and free up resources for unrelated programs.

Of the first $75 million in the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund, the plan would allocate 96% to public safety efforts in cities, villages, and townships initially based on their violent crime rates, with future funding levels calculated based on results. The plan would also provide 2% to the Crime Victim’s Rights Fund and 2% for grants to public health programs intended to prevent community violence. Resources beyond $75 million will be distributed to county sheriff’s offices.

A similar plan passed both the House and Senate last term, but the two chambers did not approve identical versions, so the plan did not reach the governor’s desk.

HBs 4260 and 4261 were referred to the House Committee on Government Operations, where Harris serves as majority vice chair.