Criminal Justice

passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 1317: appropriation; coordinated reentry program

SB 1317 appropriates $20 million from Arizona’s consumer restitution fund to the Attorney General for grants to counties. These grants fund coordinated reentry planning services programs designed to support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into communities. Counties receiving funds must establish coalitions, hire dedicated jail-based staff, implement a statewide recidivism tracking database, create data-sharing agreements, and use screening tools within a two-year grant cycle. The bill requires grantees to demonstrate these specific program elements and commit to local funding contributions before receiving funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $20M from consumer restitution fund to fund county reentry programs, advancing fiscal allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds reentry programs to reduce recidivism through coalition-building, staff hiring, and recidivism tracking database implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Corrections Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SCR 1015: city charter; review board; prohibition

SCR 1015 proposes a constitutional amendment in Arizona to protect civilian police review boards in charter cities. It prohibits cities from banning such boards or requiring board members to complete police academy training. The amendment would prevent charter cities from restricting the formation of civilian review boards that examine law enforcement conduct, and also stop cities from mandating specific training for board members. This change would require voter approval at the next general election. If adopted, it would ensure cities cannot block or overcomplicate these oversight bodies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects civilian police review boards from city restrictions, enhancing oversight of law enforcement conduct per bill's prohibition of bans and mandatory training requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2586: appropriation; rehabilitative programming; interventions

HB 2586 appropriates $1 million annually from 2026-2029 from the special services fund to Arizona's Department of Corrections for holistic studio-based rehabilitative programming. This funding directly supports incarcerated individuals through structured, creative interventions aimed at reducing self-harm, disciplinary incidents, and repeat offenses. The bill requires the Department to submit a detailed report by June 2030, documenting program outcomes including data on reduced self-harm, disciplinary actions, and recidivism rates. It does not change existing laws but allocates specific funds for evidence-based rehabilitation programs with measurable reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M annually from special services fund for rehabilitative programming, increasing public service funding under state budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds holistic rehab programs to reduce recidivism and self-harm, directly advancing criminal justice reform through correctional programming.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds holistic rehabilitative programming targeting self-harm reduction, directly supporting mental health interventions within correctional settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Corrections

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2941: motorcycles; reckless driving

HB 2941 amends Arizona law to classify operating a motorcycle in violation of specific traffic rules (sections 28-903 B/C) as reckless driving. This directly affects motorcycle riders who commit such violations, increasing penalties for repeat offenses within 24 months. For second or subsequent violations, the law mandates a minimum 20-day jail sentence before eligibility for probation and imposes a one-year license suspension, with a restricted license option available after 45 days of suspension. The bill also requires judges to order license surrender and report convictions to the state department.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 20-day jail time and license suspension for motorcycle traffic violations, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for motorcycle traffic violations to enhance road safety, directly strengthening transportation safety standards under vehicle regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Driver Licensing

introduced · Arizona · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 1295: inmates; medical institution; release

SB 1295 creates a process for releasing Arizona inmates who are elderly or disabled to medical facilities. It requires inmates to first pass a preliminary eligibility check (based on age, disability, citizenship, and residency), then receive approval from Arizona's long-term care system. The bill mandates that victims of the inmate's crime be notified of the release and provides a mechanism for returning inmates to prison if they lose long-term care eligibility. This directly affects inmates qualifying for Arizona's long-term care system, which includes assisted living facilities or healthcare institutions contracted with the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes compassionate release for elderly/disabled inmates to medical facilities, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing prison populations and prioritizing care over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes process for inmates to access medical facilities via long-term care system approval, directly improving healthcare access for elderly/disabled inmates.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Long-Term Care

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introduced · Arizona · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2059: highway speed restrictions; safety

HB 2059 amends Arizona's speed limit laws to reclassify minor speeding violations as civil traffic offenses instead of criminal misdemeanors. It applies to drivers who exceed posted limits by 10-20 mph (e.g., 20 mph over in residential areas or 20 mph over elsewhere), creating a "waste of a finite resource" designation for these cases. Key provisions establish civil penalties of up to $15 (plus fees), prevent license suspension or insurance rate increases for these violations, and prohibit court records from being shared with licensing or insurance entities. The bill specifically excludes derestricted highways (e.g., certain freeways) and urbanized areas with 40+ mph limits from these civil penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies minor speeding violations from criminal misdemeanors to civil offenses, reducing criminalization and preventing license suspension/insurance hikes, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2043: felony murder; unborn child

HB 2043 amends Arizona's first-degree murder statute to include an unborn child as a victim when death occurs during certain violent crimes (like sexual assault, robbery, or drug offenses) or when death is caused with premeditation. It directly affects individuals convicted of these specific felonies who cause death to an unborn child during the commission of the crime. Key provisions clarify that the unborn child is protected at "any stage of development" and include three exceptions: legal abortions, medical treatment for the mother or child, and actions by the mother herself. The bill does not change sentencing (first-degree murder remains a class 1 felony punishable by death or life imprisonment) but expands the scope of the crime to cover unborn children in defined scenarios.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands murder charges to include unborn children during violent crimes, increasing criminal liability and sentencing severity without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2064: vulnerable pedestrians

HB 2064 creates new criminal offenses for drivers who recklessly cause injury or death to pedestrians defined as "vulnerable" (those using mobility aids, white canes, or service animals due to disabilities). For physical injury, it establishes a class 1 misdemeanor with penalties including a $2,000 minimum fine, 90-day license suspension, and 100 hours of community service at organizations serving blind/visually impaired individuals. For death or serious injury, it classifies the offense as a class 4 felony with a one-year license suspension and 200 hours of community service, plus mandatory traffic survival school. The bill also requires driver education programs to include vulnerable pedestrian awareness training and mandates restitution covering disability-related costs like mobility aid replacements or emotional distress.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses for driver negligence toward vulnerable pedestrians, increasing penalties for specific traffic violations90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by imposing penalties for reckless driving causing injury/death to vulnerable pedestrians, strengthening road safety standards for infrastructure users.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Driver Licensing Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Arizona · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 1048: appropriation; juvenile services; Coconino county

SB 1048 appropriates $36 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to Coconino County. The funds cover 80% of the costs for constructing a new juvenile court services facility and converting an existing juvenile detention center into a detox, sobriety, and crisis recovery center. This bill directly affects Coconino County's juvenile services system by enabling infrastructure upgrades to better support youth in need of court services and crisis care. The appropriation is a concrete funding mechanism with no additional policy changes beyond the specified facility projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $36M from state general fund for juvenile services infrastructure, directly funding essential public programs as described in the bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds juvenile court facility and crisis recovery center, supporting rehabilitation and youth services reform within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Courts Juvenile Justice

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failed · Arizona · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1035: state department of corrections; appropriation

SB 1035 appropriates funds from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to provide a 5% salary increase for all sworn correctional officers and civilian employees within Arizona's State Department of Corrections. This bill directly affects over 3,000 correctional staff members who work in Arizona's state prisons and facilities. The key provision is a mandatory pay raise for these employees, funded through a specific appropriation in the state budget. As a procedural funding measure, it does not create new policies or alter existing laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds 5% salary increase for correctional staff via state budget appropriation, directly increasing public sector spending and supporting essential personnel.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill appropriates funds for correctional staff salaries, directly funding Arizona's corrections system within criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandatory 5% salary increase for correctional staff funded via state budget directly advances wage standards for over 3,000 employees, aligning with wage increase indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections

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