Assigned to COMPS & APPROP AS
VETOED
Assigned to COMPS & APPROP AS
VETOED
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
VETOED
AMENDED
automobile theft authority; appropriation
Purpose
Allows the Automobile Theft Authority (ATA) to expend all monies deposited in the ATA Fund (Fund) that exceed the legislative appropriation.
Background
The ATA is funded by a semi-annual fee of $0.50 per vehicle insured under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy for vehicles with a gross weight under 26,000 pounds. These amounts are used to allocate monies to public agencies for the purpose of establishing, maintaining and supporting programs that are designed to prevent motor vehicle theft, and to cover the costs of administration not to exceed ten percent of the ATA Fund (Fund).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) baseline includes $3,650,000 from the ATA Fund in FY 2019 for the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force, a task force within the Department of Public Safety (DPS) that works specifically on combating auto-theft related crimes.
The ATA also issues vertical prosecution grants to county attorneys that are solely dedicated to auto-theft cases, law enforcement agency grants for equipment and supplies, professional training grants to pay travel and registration costs associated with conferences, and public awareness grants for public education and vehicle identification number etching.
The 2019 Executive Budget consolidates the ATA within DPS and eliminates four of the five FTE positions. The Executive states this move will allow DPS to assist with administrative functions allowing more ATA funding to be directed towards law enforcement initiatives. The Executive budget also uses $837,000 of the Fund monies to supplement the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.
The ATA estimates that its Fund balance at the end of FY 2018 will be $2.9 million and that revenue will grow by 3% annually. It projects revenue of approximately $6.5 million in FY 2018 and $6.7 million in FY 2019 that would be available for expenditure. There would, however, be no fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Appropriates all monies deposited in the Fund that exceed the legislative appropriation made for a fiscal year.
2. Requires the ATA to submit a report for review by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on the intended uses of the excess monies before expenditure.
3. Appropriates all monies deposited in the Fund in FY 2018 in excess of the appropriation made by Laws 2017, chapter 305, section 15.
4. Requires the ATA to submit a report for review by the JLBC on the intended uses of the monies before expending the monies.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Appropriations Committee
1. Removes continuous appropriation of Fund monies.
2. Adds language allowing use of excess Fund monies upon report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Governor's Veto Message
The Governor indicates in his veto message that the legislation should be considered as a part of general appropriations agreed to by the Legislature and Executive, and should include a discussion to ensure administrative efficiencies. He also indicates that more dollars should go to law enforcement and not to administration.
House Action Senate Action
APPROP 1/24/18 DPA 12-2-0-0 COMPS 3/12/18 DP 6-1-1
3rd Read 2/6/18 44-13-2-0-1 APPROP 3/13/18 DPA 7-0-3
Vetoed by the Governor 5/17/2018
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2018
CS/lat