ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

HB2402: small business incubator program

Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4

Committee on Commerce

Overview

Appropriates $500,000 from the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant (Federal Assistance Grant) in FY 2024 to the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) for establishing and administering the Small Business Incubator Program (Program).

History

The ACA was established in 2011 with the mission to provide private sector leadership in: 1) growing and diversifying the economy of Arizona; 2) creating high-quality employment in Arizona through expansion, attraction and retention of businesses; and 3) marketing Arizona for the purpose of expansion, attraction and retention of businesses (A.R.S. § 41-1502).

The Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) is established with the objective of encompassing the various institutions, facilities and programs which are now or may become a part of the correctional program of the state, and to provide the supervisory staff and administrative functions at the state level of all matters relating to the institutionalization, rehabilitation and community supervision functions of all adult offenders (A.R.S. § 41-1602).

Statute allows the Director to authorize an eligible inmate who is within 90 days of the inmate's earliest release date to participate in a community reentry work program and requires the director to adopt rules to implement the community reentry work program, including eligibility criteria for the selection of inmates. To be eligible, at a minimum, the inmate must:

1) Not have been convicted at any time of a violation of statute relating to kidnapping, sexual offense or arson, a violent crime or a dangerous crime against children;

2) Not currently be serving a sentence for a domestic violence offense;

3) Be classified by ADC as a low risk to the community;

4) Not have any felony detainers or US immigration and customs enforcement detainers;

5) Not have previously escaped or attempted to escape from a secure or nonsecure jail or prison facility or environment;

6) Have made satisfactory progress on the inmate's individualized corrections plan as determined by ADC;

7) Have maintained civil behavior while incarcerated as determined by ADC;

8) Be current on any restitution payments ordered by a court; and

9) Have a need and ability to benefit from a community reentry work program as determined by ADC. (A.R.S. § 41-1604.18).

Provisions

1. Establishes the Program in the ACA to assist current and former inmates who are participating in second chance centers to establish small businesses. (Sec. 1)

2. Defines second chance center as a program in which ADC and DES collaborate and bring comprehensive services to inmates who are nearing release and who are most likely to recidivate. (Sec. 1)

3. Appropriates $500,000 from the Federal Assistance Grant in FY 2024 to the ACA for establishing and administering the Program. (Sec. 2)

4. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing. (Sec. 2)

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8. HB 2402

9. Initials PRB/LM Page 0 Commerce

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