PREFILED    DEC 18 2015

REFERENCE TITLE: public safety; violence prevention; committee

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016

HB 2011

Introduced by Representatives Friese, Thorpe, Senator Sherwood: Representative Finchem

 

AN ACT

 

establishing the public safety and violence prevention study committee.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Public safety and violence prevention study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A.  The public safety and violence prevention study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1.  Three members of the house of representatives, two of whom are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of whom is appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.  The minority leader of the house of representatives shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

2.  Three members of the senate, two of whom are appointed by the president of the senate and one of whom is appointed by the minority leader of the senate.  The president of the senate shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

3.  One member who represents a law enforcement association and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

4.  One sheriff or the sheriff's designee who is from a county with a population of nine hundred thousand persons or more and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

5.  One police chief or the police chief's designee who is employed by a city with a population of five hundred thousand persons or more and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

6.  One member who represents a network media outlet that operates in this state and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

7.  One member who represents a group that advocates for gun owner rights and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

8.  One member who represents a group that advocates for gun violence prevention and who is appointed by the minority leader of the senate.

9.  One mental health provider who represents a regional behavioral health authority and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

10.  One mental health provider who has direct experience in acute mental health disorders and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

B.  The study committee shall:

1.  Research and report on how to promote public safety and curtail violence.

2.  Hold hearings, conduct fact-finding tours and take testimony from witnesses, including participants in the gun industry, mental health field and criminal justice system, who may assist the committee in fulfilling its responsibilities.

C.  The study committee may request information, data and reports from any state agency or political subdivision of this state.  If possible, information shall be provided electronically.

D.  On the request of the study committee, an agency of this state shall provide to the committee its services, equipment, documents, personnel and facilities to the extent possible without cost to the committee.

E.  The legislature shall provide staff and support services to the committee.

F.  The committee shall meet at the state capitol or at other places as the cochairpersons deem necessary or convenient, and all meetings shall be open to the public. 

G.  Members of the study committee are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

H.  On or before December 31, 2016, the study committee shall submit a report regarding its findings and recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate and provide a copy of its report to the secretary of state.  The report shall include the committee's recommendations regarding the identification of issues where the stakeholders have common ground and potential legislation and community‑based strategies to effectively curtail violence and promote public safety.

I.  This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2017.