The proposed bill would amend current statutes to prohibit municipalities from reducing the annual operating budget for law enforcement agencies below the previous year's budget. It introduces new requirements for municipalities to notify the State Treasurer of any budget reductions, which would trigger the withholding of state shared funds equivalent to the reduction amount until the budget is restored. The bill also outlines specific exemptions under which a municipality may reduce its law enforcement budget, such as financial incapacity or a temporary increase in the previous year's budget for one-time expenses.

Additionally, the bill asserts that the regulation of law enforcement funding is a matter of statewide concern, thereby preempting local regulations. It defines "law enforcement agency" specifically as a municipal police department and includes provisions to ensure that any withheld state funds cannot be used for debt service on obligations incurred prior to the budget reduction. Overall, the bill aims to maintain or increase funding for law enforcement agencies across Arizona, emphasizing the impact of such funding on public safety and crime prevention.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-500.52, 42-5029, 43-206, 35-146, 35-147, 42-1116, 42-5014, 42-5070, 42-5010, 42-5155, 42-5010.01, 42-5061, 42-5164, 42-5205, 42-1118, 42-1254, 42-5030, 42-5030.01, 42-5031, 42-5032, 42-5032.01, 42-5032.02, 49-282, 17-273, 15-2084, 15-1648, 15-1472, 42-5031.01, 15-971, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 15-154, 15-154.01, 15-241, 43-1072.01, 15-977, 41-2257, 41-2258, 42-5033, 42-5033.01, 42-6010, 9-626, 41-194.01, 15-1402, 15-1403, 15-1409
House Engrossed Version: 9-500.52, 42-5029, 43-206, 35-146, 35-147, 42-1116, 42-5014, 42-5070, 42-5010, 42-5155, 42-5010.01, 42-5061, 42-5164, 42-5205, 42-1118, 42-1254, 42-5030, 42-5030.01, 42-5031, 42-5032, 42-5032.01, 42-5032.02, 49-282, 17-273, 15-2084, 15-1648, 15-1472, 42-5031.01, 15-971, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 15-154, 15-154.01, 15-241, 43-1072.01, 15-977, 41-2257, 41-2258, 42-5033, 42-5033.01, 42-6010, 9-626, 41-194.01, 15-1402, 15-1403, 15-1409
Senate Engrossed Version: 9-500.52, 42-5029, 43-206, 35-146, 35-147, 42-1116, 42-5014, 42-5070, 42-5010, 42-5155, 42-5010.01, 42-5061, 42-5164, 42-5205, 42-1118, 42-1254, 42-5030, 42-5030.01, 42-5031, 42-5032, 42-5032.01, 42-5032.02, 49-282, 17-273, 15-2084, 15-1648, 15-1472, 42-5031.01, 15-971, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 15-154, 15-154.01, 15-241, 43-1072.01, 15-977, 41-2257, 41-2258, 42-5033, 42-5033.01, 42-6010, 9-626, 41-194.01, 15-1402, 15-1403, 15-1409