The proposed bill would amend current statutes related to the Parity Compensation Fund and the reporting requirements for law enforcement personnel compensation. Specifically, it would require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to establish and consider benchmarks based on the average total compensation of comparable law enforcement personnel from the three largest county or municipal peer agencies in Arizona when determining expenditures from the Fund. Additionally, the bill mandates that DPS spend Fund monies on salaries and benefits that enhance its ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel. The definition of "total compensation" would also be expanded to include various forms of pay and employer contributions.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the existing language regarding the administration of the Fund by clarifying that DPS must consider state revenues and employee pay adjustments. It also requires the inclusion of the most recent compensation benchmarks in the annual report prepared by the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) concerning state personnel. Overall, these updates aim to improve the compensation structure for law enforcement personnel in Arizona by aligning it more closely with peer agencies and ensuring that the Fund is utilized effectively to attract and retain qualified staff.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-751, 41-1720
House Engrossed Version: 41-751, 41-1720
Senate Engrossed Version: 41-751, 41-1720
Chaptered Version: 41-751, 41-1720