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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
law enforcement personnel; grant program
Purpose
Background
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1996 prescribes the powers of immigration officers and employees, including a federal immigration program commonly referred to as the 287(g) Program, that allows the U.S. Attorney General to enter into agreements with state and local LEAs to authorize qualified state and local law enforcement officers to act as federal immigration officers and enforce federal immigration laws that include the investigation, apprehension and detention of aliens in the United States. Agreements made must contain a written certification that the state or local officer or employee performing the function of a federal immigration officer has received adequate training regarding the enforcement of relevant federal immigration laws (8 U.S.C. § 1357).
DPS is responsible for creating and coordinating services for use by local LEAs in protecting the public safety. DPS must formulate plans with a view of establishing modern services for prevention of crime, apprehension of violators, training of law enforcement personnel and the promotion of public safety (A.R.S. § 41-1711).
S.B. 1299 appropriates $2,000,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DPS for the Grant Program.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Grant Program to reimburse LEAs that enroll an officer or employee in a federal immigration training program, including a program that delegates immigration authority, duties and enforcement to LEAs in Arizona.
2. Requires DPS to administer the Grant Program.
3. Requires an LEA in Arizona to submit an application on a form prescribed by DPS.
4. Requires reimbursement from the Grant Program to cover up to one month's salary of a law enforcement officer who participates in a federal immigration training program if:
a) the participating officer's salary is not reimbursed by the U.S. Government; or
b) any law enforcement officer is needed to temporarily replace the participating officer.
5. Appropriates $2,000,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DPS to administer the Grant Program.
6. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
7. Defines an LEA as a municipal police agency or county sheriff's department.
8. Defines a law enforcement officer as an officer in the employment of an LEA.
9. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 6, 2025
KJA/NRG/slp