Assigned to JUD FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to JUD FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
Arizona criminal justice commission; membership
Purpose
Adds three additional appointed members to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC).
Background
ACJC carries out various coordinating, monitoring and reporting functions pertaining to the management and administration of criminal justice programs in Arizona. ACJC has two key statutory responsibilities: 1) conducting research on criminal justice issues; and 2) awarding and monitoring state and federal grants for purposes such as reducing violent crime, providing victim services and improving criminal history records (A.R.S. § 41-2405).
ACJC was created in 1982 and has 19 members: 14 are appointed by the Governor and 5 are state criminal justice heads from different departments. (A.R.S. § 41-2404).
ACJC is required to meet at least four times a year at the discretion of the chairman. Members appointed by the Governor can serve for up to two years and are eligible for reappointment. Members may not receive compensation and are only eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred on authorized state business (A.R.S. § § 38-621 & 38-624). Not more than seven of the appointed members of the ACJC may be from the same political party (A.R.S § 41-2404).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Increases, from 14 to 17, the number of appointed members to the ACJC.
2. Requires the new appointed members to include:
a) one licensed psychiatrist or psychologist with experience working in the criminal justice system;
b) one leader from an indigent defense agency; and
c) one leader from a private nonprofit juvenile justice organization.
3. Increases, from seven to nine, the maximum number of appointed members who may be from one political party.
4. Requires one of the additional appointed members to serve a term until January 9, 2019, and two to serve terms ending January 8, 2020.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 12, 2018
JA/SM/lat