book gifting fund; appropriation

SB 1165 establishes a $5 million book gifting fund to provide grants for nonprofit organizations that distribute age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five at no cost to families. Administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the fund allows nonprofits to apply for grants covering the purchase and distribution of these books, with funds continuously appropriated and exempt from standard budget lapsing rules. The bill directly affects qualifying nonprofits serving young children in Arizona, enabling them to expand access to early literacy resources. It creates a dedicated funding stream for early childhood literacy initiatives without requiring new tax revenue.