Far right, second row, Sheriff Mike Slupe listens to testimony before the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee Monday in Harrisburg. From left, Sheriff Eric Weaknecht from Berks County. He also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the PA Sheriffs.Sheriff Carolyn "Bunny" Welsh from Chester County. She is past President of the PA Sheriffs and current board member of the National Sheriffs Association.Commander Leo O'Neill from Allegheny County Sheriff's Office.

Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe was in Harrisburg Monday testifying before Pennsylvania legislators, pushing for the passage of a bill clarifying the authority of sheriff's offices across the state.

Slupe, in his role as president of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs' Association, spoke to the House State Government Committee, chaired by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12, about House Bill 466, which Slupe said would enable his office to conduct investigations.

Slupe said the reason he testified was to provide clarification on the arrest and investigatory authority of the sheriff's office due to the numerous conflicting court decisions over the years.

Currently, Slupe's office has the authority to make arrests, even outside county property.

In the county government center lobby or while making an arrest, a deputy may search the individual under the administrative order of the court. Anywhere else, a deputy must rely on what is visible in the absence of a search warrant.