Bill > HB2221

This bill prohibits cities and towns in Arizona from reducing the annual operating budget for municipal police departments below the previous year's budget, with some exceptions. If a city or town does reduce a police department's budget, the state treasurer will withhold an equivalent amount of state shared revenues until the budget reduction is restored. Exceptions to this prohibition include situations where: the city or town lacks sufficient funds to maintain the previous budget, all municipal departments have been reduced proportionally, the city or town has not experienced population growth, or the previous year's budget included a temporary increase for a one-time expense. The bill explicitly states that funding for law enforcement is a matter of statewide concern and not subject to further local regulation. If a city or town reduces a police department's budget in a manner not meeting these exceptions, the state will withhold state shared monies from both the transaction privilege tax distribution and urban revenue sharing fund until the budget is restored. This legislation aims to prevent potential defunding of police departments by local governments and ensures a consistent level of funding for municipal law enforcement agencies.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/81965