ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2330: department of public safety; continuation

Sponsor: Representative Payne, LD 21

Committee on Military Affairs & Public Safety

Overview

Continues the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for eight years.

History

DPS was established as a state-level law enforcement entity in 1969. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1711, DPS is responsible for creating and coordinating services for use by local law enforcement agencies in protecting the public safety. Its statutory responsibilities include: 1) patrolling highways and investigating highway collisions; 2) enforcing laws related to drug trafficking, organized crime, vehicle theft, gangs and more; 3) conducting fingerprint-based criminal history records checks and issuing fingerprint clearance cards in addition to other licensing and certification services; 4) maintaining the state's sex offender registration website and community notification compliance programs; and 5) providing scientific analysis services for various criminal justice agencies (Report No. 21-120).

The sunset review process provides a system for the Legislature to evaluate the need to continue the existence of state agencies which are reviewed by a legislative committee of reference (COR). The COR is required to hold a public hearing, receive testimony from agency officials and the public and consider certain sunset factors in determining whether to recommend continuing, consolidating or terminating the agency (A.R.S. § 41-2953).

On December 9, 2021, The House Military Affairs and Public Safety and Senate Judiciary COR held a public hearing and recommended that the Legislature continue DPS for eight years. DPS terminates on July 1, 2022, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 41-3022.11).

Provisions

1. Continues, retroactively to July 1, 2022, DPS until July 1, 2030. (Sec. 1, 2, 4)

2. Repeals DPS on January 1, 2031. (Sec. 2)

3. Contains a purpose statement. (Sec. 3)

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7. HB 2330

8. Initials FK/NM Page 0 Military Affairs & Public Safety

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