REFERENCE TITLE: book gifting fund; appropriation

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

2025

SB 1165

Introduced by

Senator Ortiz

An Act

amending title 41, chapter 14, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-1970; appropriating monies; relating to the department of economic security.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 41, chapter 14, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-1970, to read:

START_STATUTE41-1970. Book gifting fund; grants; requirements

A. The book gifting fund is established consisting of monies appropriated by the legislature. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated. The department of economic security shall administer the fund and may use the monies that are deposited in the fund for administrative costs incurred under this section. Monies in the fund are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.

B. The department shall:

1. Establish application procedures for nonprofit volunteer-run organizations to apply for grants from the fund to pay for the purchase and distribution of age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five at no cost to the recipient.

2. Subject to available monies, distribute grant monies from the fund to each nonprofit organization that successfully demonstrates the capacity to purchase and distribute age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five at no cost to the recipient. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Appropriation; book gifting fund; exemption

A. The sum of $5,000,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to the book gifting fund established by section 41-1970, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.

B. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.