ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: APPROP DP 7-2-1-0 | PS DP 6-0-1-0 | 3rd Read 18-10-2-0

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

SB 1369: appropriation; law enforcement; recruitment

Sponsor: Senator Payne, LD 27

Committee on Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Overview

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2026 to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) for law enforcement recruitment and retention as outlined.

History

DPS is responsible for creating and coordinating services for local law enforcement agencies in protecting public safety. DPS consists of divisions on the Arizona Highway Patrol, narcotics enforcement and criminal investigation, scientific criminal analysis, training and education (A.R.S. §§ 41-1711; 41-1712).

DPS administers various funds, including the Parity Compensation Fund (Fund) for salaries and benefits for law enforcement personnel. The Fund consists of monies from vehicle license tax and legislative appropriations. The Fund's monies cannot revert to the state General Fund and are exempt from lapsing (A.R.S. § 41-1720).

Provisions

1.   Appropriates $2,000,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DPS for law enforcement recruitment and retention as follows:

a)   $500,000 for coaching resources with an emphasis on retention and the development of DPS professionals; and

b)   $1,500,000 for a Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Grant Program to provide matching grants to county, city and town law enforcement agencies for acquiring coaching resources with an emphasis on retention and the development of specified professionals. (Sec. 1)

2.   Stipulates that resource providers must:

a)   have coaches with backgrounds in law enforcement who have been trained in coaching for law enforcement from current or former Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy instructors;

b)   provide coaching services on an online platform with the option to choose coaches based on their desired area of improvement; and

c) offer a wide array of subject areas and have analytics to measure impacts specific to improvement. (Sec. 1)

3.   Requires law enforcement agencies to match grants as follows:

a)   Maricopa and Pima Counties must provide a 50% match;

b)   all other counties must provide a 25% match;

c) the City of Phoenix and the City of Tucson must provide a 50% match; and

d)   all other cities and towns must provide a 25% match. (Sec. 1)

4.   Instructs DPS to establish procedures for applying for grants. (Sec. 1)

5.   Requires the county, city and town law enforcement agencies that receive grant monies to use the monies to obtain recruitment and retention resources and services. (Sec. 1)

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9.                     SB 1369

10.  Initials MT           Page 0 Public Safety & Law Enforcement

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