This bill proposes to establish a new grant program, the Tribal government rural law enforcement enhancement grant program, aimed at supporting tribal governmental entities in Arizona with reservation land in counties with populations under 500,000. The program will provide funding for hiring and retaining law enforcement personnel, purchasing communication equipment, improving information technology, and reimbursing expenses related to investigating turquoise alerts. The Department of Public Safety will administer the program and the associated Tribal government rural law enforcement enhancement fund, which will be continuously appropriated and limited to $100,000 annually for administrative costs.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $10,000,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the newly established fund. It also mandates that the Department of Public Safety submit an annual report on the effectiveness of the grant program and recommendations for improvement to the legislative leadership. The appropriation is exempt from lapsing provisions, ensuring that the funds remain available for their intended purpose.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-1738