This bill proposes to amend the definition of "state or local public benefit" in Arizona Revised Statutes by removing the exclusion of benefits provided by public retirement systems and plans of the state. Specifically, it will delete the phrase that currently states these benefits are not included in the definition. Additionally, the bill outlines new categories of individuals who would be deemed ineligible to receive any state or local public benefit, including those whose presence in the U.S. is unauthorized, foreign nationals paroled into the U.S., and foreign nationals who have expressed an intention to apply for asylum but whose applications have not been positively adjudicated.

The bill's amendments will replace the existing language regarding eligibility and the definition of public benefits, ensuring that the updated statute reflects these changes. The current law will remain intact except for the specified deletions and insertions, which will clarify the eligibility criteria for public benefits and expand the definition to include retirement benefits.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 1-502
Senate Engrossed Version: 1-502