Sign Up
SB 1851 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

criminal justice; 2026-2027.

This bill amends Arizona statutes to increase fees and assessments related to traffic violations and court fines. It requires a $9 surcharge on all court-authorized diversion programs, such as defensive driving schools, and adds a $4 penalty assessment to every civil or criminal traffic fine. Additionally, the legislation strengthens the court's ability to address nonpayment by allowing judges to issue arrest warrants or order jail time for willful failure to pay fines, fees, or restitution. The bill also mandates annual reporting on the collection rates of these monetary obligations to state officials.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases fees and assessments on traffic violations and court fines, generating additional revenue to fund state budgets and strengthen fiscal management.90% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases fines and allows jail time for nonpayment, restricting access to diversion programs and expanding punitive measures.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill increases costs for traffic violations and strengthens enforcement of nonpayment, effectively restricting access to diversion programs and increasing financial barriers to resolving transportation infractions.85% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jun 9, 2026 Last action Jun 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill significantly expands the scope of criminal justice funding and enforcement in Arizona by creating new surcharges for traffic court diversion programs and civil penalties, while simultaneously establishing a dedicated advisory commission to manage law enforcement equipment funds. The legislation also tightens eligibility criteria for inmate transition programs and clarifies the consequences for failing to pay fines or restitution.
Scope change
The bill broadens the scope of funding sources by adding surcharges on traffic diversion programs and civil traffic penalties, and it expands the oversight structure for law enforcement equipment funds by creating a new advisory commission.
FISCAL

Added a $9 surcharge on fees for court-authorized traffic diversion programs, with $5 allocated to the judicial collection enhancement fund and $4 to the peace officer training law enforcement equipment fund.

Added a $4 penalty assessment on every civil traffic fine and criminal vehicle violation forfeiture, with all proceeds directed to the peace officer training law enforcement equipment fund.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new advisory commission to oversee the peace officer training law enforcement equipment fund, comprising representatives from the legislature, state agencies, and law enforcement associations.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified inmate transition program eligibility by removing the requirement that inmates must not have been convicted of sexual offenses or violent crimes, but instead listing specific disqualifying factors in a separate subsection.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded court authority to treat nonpayment of fines, fees, or restitution as contempt of court, allowing for incarceration or probation revocation if the failure to pay is found to be willful.

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date for certain sections of the bill from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2028.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Jun 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
DPA
upper
Jun 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dave Farnsworth
Dave Farnsworth
RRepublican
AZ
10