The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current Arizona statutes by introducing new sentencing enhancements for individuals convicted of specific crimes, such as stalking or assault, when those individuals are acting as agents of foreign governments or terrorist organizations. Specifically, it would require that such individuals be sentenced to the next higher class of offense if they engage in coercive actions against others, restrict protected conduct, or retaliate against individuals for exercising their rights. Additionally, the bill would classify the act of engaging in law enforcement activities without proper authorization as a class 2 felony when done under the direction of a foreign entity.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the establishment of a Transnational Repression Recognition and Response Training Program by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). This program would provide specialized training for law enforcement officers on identifying and responding to tactics of transnational repression, including the use of digital surveillance. The training curriculum would be developed in collaboration with an experienced organization and updated annually to address emerging threats. The bill also includes definitions for key terms such as "foreign government agent," "foreign terrorist organization agent," and "protected conduct," and contains a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions remain effective.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-721, 41-1735
House Engrossed Version: 13-721, 41-1735