Criminal Justice

in committee · Arizona · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 4154: general appropriations act; 2026-2027

This bill establishes the 2026-2027 budget for Arizona's Department of Corrections, allocating approximately $1.6 billion to fund state prisons, private prisons, and correctional programs. It mandates that the department submit detailed monthly and annual reports to the legislature regarding spending, staffing levels, bed capacity, and inmate healthcare performance. The legislation also requires that any plans to open or close one hundred or more prison beds be reviewed by the joint legislative budget committee before implementation. Additionally, it sets specific rules for how funds from various correctional funds must be used and transferred to support the department's operations and retirement contributions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.6B to fund state prisons and mandates detailed spending reports, directly advancing budget appropriations and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds corrections and mandates transparency reports on staffing and healthcare, strengthening oversight and resource allocation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 13, 2026

HB 4158: criminal justice; 2026-2027

This Arizona bill creates a new transition program that allows eligible inmates to serve up to ninety days in the community before their full release. To qualify, inmates must meet specific criteria, such as having a minimum or medium custody classification, making satisfactory progress in prison programming, and agreeing to provide post-release information, while those convicted of sexual offenses or serious violent crimes are excluded. The program requires private or nonprofit providers to offer services like counseling, job placement, and family reunification, and it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to object before an inmate can be released early. Additionally, the bill establishes a dedicated fund to cover program costs and requires the state department to submit annual reports on the number of participants, the types of services provided, and recidivism rates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a transition program to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation through community-based reentry.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 13, 2026

SB 1847: general appropriations act; 2026-2027.

SB 1847 is the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act for Arizona's Department of Corrections, allocating approximately $1.6 billion in state funding to support prisons, community corrections, and inmate healthcare. The bill establishes strict reporting requirements, mandating that the department submit monthly financial updates, annual staffing reports, and detailed bed capacity analyses to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. It also introduces specific financial controls, such as requiring legislative review before spending on certain inmate healthcare contracts and limiting private prison staff stipends to amounts equal to those paid to state employees. Additionally, the legislation directs that all earnings from specific land funds be used solely to support penal institutions and requires the department to prioritize filling in-state prison beds before using out-of-state provisional beds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.6B to state corrections and enforces strict financial reporting, directly advancing budget management and funding essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $1.6B to Arizona DOC for prisons, corrections, and healthcare, strengthening the system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections

in committee · Arizona · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1834: capital outlay; 2026-2027; appropriations

This bill appropriates state funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support capital projects across multiple Arizona agencies, including major maintenance for state buildings, highway construction, and the development of a veterans' home facility. It allocates specific amounts to the Department of Administration for building repairs, the Department of Corrections for facility renewal, and the Department of Transportation for statewide highway planning and construction. Additionally, the legislation establishes reporting requirements for the Department of Transportation to provide financial updates on highway expenses and debt obligations to legislative and executive officials. The bill also sets conditions for the veterans' home project, requiring federal funding commitments and site approval before any state money can be spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for capital projects, maintenance, and infrastructure, directly advancing the budget topic.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funds to the Department of Corrections for facility renewal, which supports the maintenance and operation of the corrections system.65% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly appropriates state funds for highway construction and statewide highway planning by the Department of Transportation.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates state funds for the development of a veterans' home facility, directly supporting veteran services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections Roads & Highways

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in committee · Arizona · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1836: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates transparency in prison capacity and bed management, enhancing oversight of corrections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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vetoed · Arizona · House May 5, 2026

HB 4143: 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 the number of available beds for different security levels and genders at both state facilities and private prisons, including data from the previous two years and projections for the current year. It also mandates explanations for why permanent beds are removed instead of temporary ones, along with plans for any future closures of 100 or more beds that must be reviewed before implementation. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates transparency in prison capacity and bed management, enhancing oversight and accountability within the corrections system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1662: probation supervision; least restrictive conditions

SB 1662 (Arizona Revised Statutes §13-901) requires courts to impose probation conditions that are "reasonably necessary" for public safety, rehabilitation, and helping defendants live lawfully - using validated risk assessments to tailor requirements to individual needs. It mandates probation officers to waive unnecessary standard conditions and justify any special condition as the least restrictive option needed to meet these goals. The bill also establishes a $65 monthly probation fee (waivable for indigent individuals) to fund adult probation services, with fees directed to county probation funds. These changes directly affect individuals on probation in Arizona courts by standardizing how conditions are set and funded.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates least restrictive probation conditions via risk assessments to prioritize rehabilitation over unnecessary restrictions, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1767: ADOC; director; educational programs

SB 1767 requires Arizona state prisons to fund specific educational programs - including functional literacy, GED preparation, vocational training, and postsecondary courses in industries like healthcare and technology - using a dedicated budget. It prohibits using these funds for inmates sentenced to death, life imprisonment without parole, or classified as maximum custody, but allows programs for minors under 18 and disabled inmates under 22. The bill also explicitly bans policies excluding inmates serving natural life or life without parole from educational or vocational opportunities. These changes apply directly to all Arizona state correctional facilities and their inmate populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates dedicated budget allocation for prison educational programs (literacy, GED, vocational training), advancing state fiscal management of corrections spending for essential services.92% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds prison educational programs (literacy, GED, vocational) to reduce recidivism, directly advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly funds technology-related postsecondary courses in prisons as part of mandated educational programs, directly advancing tech workforce development.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1709: dangerous crimes; children; probation revocation

SB 1709 requires Arizona courts to impose a mandatory $65 monthly fee for adults on probation (unless the court determines they cannot pay), with fees collected to fund adult probation services. It adds provisions allowing remote reporting for probationers to accommodate work, family care, or treatment needs, and establishes a process for transferring probation supervision between counties under specific conditions. The bill also clarifies that probation fees must be paid to county treasurers for the adult probation services fund, not to courts directly. It directly affects individuals placed on probation in Arizona, particularly those in supervised probation programs, by adding this financial obligation and modifying reporting requirements. The bill does not change probation revocation rules for dangerous crimes involving children, as its title suggests, but focuses on administrative and fee-related procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandatory fees fund probation services; remote reporting accommodates work/family care, reducing recidivism risk per reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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vetoed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 4056: technical correction; double punishment

HB 4056 amends Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-116 to clarify that when an act violates multiple laws, sentences must run concurrently (served at the same time), not consecutively. It also states that a conviction or acquittal under one law bars prosecution for the same act under another law, aligning with constitutional protections against double jeopardy. This technical correction directly affects criminal defendants in Arizona who face charges under multiple statutes for the same conduct. The bill passed the Arizona House of Representatives on March 3, 2026, and was referred to the Senate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies concurrent sentencing and double jeopardy protections, preventing multiple punishments for same act, strengthening defendant rights in criminal justice.95% confidence

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