2026-2027; criminal justice

This bill requires the Arizona Department of Corrections to submit an annual report on prison bed capacity to the joint legislative budget committee by November 1 each year. The report must detail available beds for different security levels and genders, explain changes in capacity over the past two years, and justify the removal of permanent beds versus the use of temporary ones. Additionally, the department must disclose plans to vacate beds and seek committee review before opening or closing one hundred or more beds. This legislation directly affects the state correctional system by increasing transparency regarding facility capacity and future bed management plans.