Rural Public Safety Enhancement Bill Moves Forward in the Legislature

A bill aimed at enhancing rural public safety by expanding the definition of “peace officer” to include deputy sheriffs in Amador and Nevada counties continued to await placement in the Assembly this week following passage in the Senate.

Senate Bill 229, authored by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson), would specifically include deputy sheriffs employed by the Counties of Amador and Nevada within the definition of peace officer. Currently, deputy sheriffs in Amador and Nevada counties have limited authority, primarily focused on custodial duties, including the custody, care, supervision, security, movement, and transportation of inmates. SB 229 addresses this gap by expanding their responsibilities to include emergency response roles, like assisting in disaster management, supporting neighboring counties during crises, and ensuring public safety in high-demand situations.

The two counties would also be added to the current list of counties where deputy sheriffs have peace officer duties whose authority extends to any place in the state only while engaged in the performance of the duties of the officer’s respective employment and for the purpose of carrying out the primary function of employment relating to the officer’s custodial assignments, or when performing other law enforcement duties directed by the officer’s employing agency during a local state of emergency. If passed, the counties of Amador and Nevada would join the counties of Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Plumas, Riverside, San Benito, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, and Yuba under the peace officer functions for deputy sheriffs.

Senator Alvarado-Gil wrote the bill to enhance rural public safety and to be more prepared for emergency response scenarios. According to her office, the bill was specifically asked for by Amador County Sheriffs.

Deputy sheriff role expansion

“Rural communities face distinct public safety challenges that require a strong, adaptable response,” said Senator Alvarado-Gil on Friday. “This bill ensures law enforcement has the authority and support needed to act swiftly in emergencies, from natural disasters to public safety threats. By empowering deputies with broader responsibilities, we’re strengthening their ability to protect and serve communities when it matters most.”

“This bill was an ask from Amador County Sheriffs,” added Nick VaVerka, a spokesman for the Senator to the Globe on Friday. “This has been done in other rural counties across the state and they wanted it for their county as well. There was no specific event that sparked it, but this will be helpful for them in emergency response scenarios.”

The county sheriffs also highlighted their support for the bill earlier this week.

“Expanding the authority of our deputies is essential for ensuring that we can respond swiftly to emergencies,” explained Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman. “With this bill, we gain a critical force multiplier, allowing trained correctional officers to assist with essential duties like roadblocks, search-and-rescue operations, and evacuations.”

“This legislation ensures that our correctional officers are properly empowered to perform essential custodial duties like managing jails, inmate care, and transportation—activities that are vital to maintaining public safety,” said Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon.

Introduced in January, SB 229 swiftly moved through the Senate late last month. It passed the Senate Public Safety Committee in a unanimous 6-0 vote, with a Senate vote only days later having it pass 34-0 with 6 abstentions. The bill is now awaiting consideration and placement in the Assembly, with the bill expected to continue to move forward with little opposition.

“In a natural disaster or public safety emergency, every second counts,” added Alvarado-Gil. “By expanding their authority, we’re not only improving response times, we’re ensuring that our communities are supported by a law enforcement system that can adapt to their needs.”