Montana revives proposal to make sheriffs top cops

Montana revives proposal to make sheriffs top cops

MATT VOLZ,Associated Press

HELENA — A Montana senator has revived legislation that would make sheriffs the supreme authorities in their counties.

The bill by Republican Sen. Greg Hinkle of Thompson Falls would require federal agents to get written permission from a sheriff before they could conduct a search, seizure or arrest in that sheriff's jurisdiction.

A similar bill was vetoed by Republican Gov. Marc Racicot in 1995.

At Friday's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, dozens of people waited in line to condemn the government or to...