Criminal Justice

passed · Arizona · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2976: justice courts; administration; due process

HB 2976 strengthens due process protections for Arizona justices of the peace when state or county entities take administrative actions that affect their statutory duties, such as changing authority or imposing new operational costs. The bill requires these entities to provide written notice, a hearing before an independent officer, clear evidence, and the right to counsel before making such decisions. It also mandates that administrative orders affecting justice courts be reported to the legislature within 10 days with fiscal impact statements, and prevents counties from implementing new requirements without state funding. This directly impacts elected justices of the peace, county governments, and state/county administrative bodies overseeing justice courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens due process protections for justice courts, enhancing procedural fairness and rights in court administration, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2207: appropriation; braille transcription program

HB 2207 appropriates $300,000 from Arizona's state general fund annually for the state Department of Corrections' braille transcription program, which provides braille materials to inmates. The bill requires the department to submit annual reports by October 15 each year, detailing the number of Arizona inmates and out-of-state inmates served. This increases the program's funding from $200,000 to $300,000 per year, with the legislature intending this as ongoing annual support. The program directly serves incarcerated individuals who require braille materials for education or communication.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual state funding for a public service program ($300k from $200k) via general fund appropriation, directly advancing fiscal support for inmate accessibility services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds braille transcription program for inmate rehabilitation within corrections, aligning with support indicators for improving rehabilitation services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2966: dangerous crimes against children; probation.

HB 2966 amends Arizona's probation statute to require a minimum $65 monthly fee for most probationers, with exceptions for those unable to pay. The fee funds adult probation services, collected by courts and deposited into a county probation fund. Crucially, the bill prohibits courts from ending probation early for individuals convicted of "dangerous crimes against children" (as defined in AZ Rev. Stat. § 13-705). It applies broadly to all probationers but includes a specific restriction for those convicted of severe child-related offenses. The changes clarify fee collection procedures and reinforce that early probation termination is not permitted for these cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits early probation termination for 'dangerous crimes against children,' restricting defendant rights and increasing sentence duration per AZ Rev. Stat. §13-705.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 2205: criminal damage; trespassing; critical facilities

HB 2205 amends Arizona law to increase penalties for damaging specific protected locations, directly affecting property owners and individuals who damage these sites. It classifies aggravated criminal damage when property is defaced, damaged, or tampered with at places of worship, schools, cemeteries, or utility/infrastructure sites (e.g., for metal theft), with penalties escalating based on damage amount ($1,500-$10,000+) and location type. For instance, damaging a school with $10,000+ in damage becomes a class 4 felony, while similar damage to utility infrastructure is a class 3 felony. The bill defines "damage" to include repair costs, lost services, and abatement expenses, making it a criminal offense with felony classifications.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for damaging protected locations, expanding criminalization of property damage offenses without reform elements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 4136: unlawful entry; vulnerable adults; vagrants

HB 4136 creates two new felony offenses for entering a residential structure where a vulnerable adult lives without permission. A general unlawful entry (Class 4 felony) requires the owner/caregiver to report the incident, while a sexual offense version (Class 3 felony) applies if the entry involves specific sexual crimes. The bill mandates immediate arrest by law enforcement and adds this violation to Arizona’s sex offender registration requirements under Section 13-3821. It directly affects individuals entering vulnerable adults’ homes without consent, with the owner/caregiver’s report triggering criminal penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felonies and mandatory sex offender registration, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties under criminal justice system90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2020: educational institutions; interference; disruption

HB 2020 defines and penalizes interference with or disruption of public educational institutions in Arizona. It requires public schools, colleges, and universities to adopt rules for maintaining order on their property, with penalties including ejection, suspension, or expulsion for students and staff who violate these rules. The law classifies threatening harm as a class 1 misdemeanor for minors or a class 6 felony for adults (18+), while entering school property to disrupt operations is a class 1 misdemeanor. Private educational institutions are exempt from these requirements, and the bill explicitly preserves approved gun safety programs on campuses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses (school disruptions) with felonies, expanding criminalization. Contradicts reform goals of reducing criminalization.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prevents disruptions in schools to maintain order, protecting educational environments from interference, thus supporting institutional functioning.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2063: appropriation; independent correctional oversight office.

HB 2063 allocates $1.5 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Corrections Oversight Fund, which supports the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. This funding is specifically designated for the office's operations under existing law (Title 41, Chapter 59 of Arizona Revised Statutes), enabling it to conduct oversight activities within the state prison system. The bill does not create new policies or change existing laws - it solely provides financial resources for an already established oversight body. The office, which monitors correctional facilities and conditions, will use these funds for its mandated oversight functions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.5M from state general fund for Corrections Oversight Office operations, funding essential oversight program under existing law.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds Independent Correctional Oversight Office to strengthen prison system accountability, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2495: sentencing enhancements; vulnerable adults

HB 2495 increases sentencing for felony convictions against vulnerable adults in Arizona. It directly affects individuals convicted of specific felonies (under Chapters 11-19, 21, 23 of Arizona law) who knew or should have known the victim was a vulnerable adult. Key provisions prohibit suspension of sentence, probation, or early release (except as specified), and add 3 years to class 4-6 felonies or 5 years to class 2-3 felonies. The bill mandates these sentence increases in addition to any existing enhancements. This changes sentencing outcomes for offenders convicted of such crimes, without altering the underlying offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory sentences (adds 3-5 years) and prohibits probation/early release for crimes against vulnerable adults, directly aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increasing sentences and reducing defendant rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2175: crimes; hostility towards victims; sentencing

Arizona's HB 2175 increases prison sentences for certain crimes committed "out of hostility toward a victim because of the victim's identity in a protected group" (as defined in state law). It applies to offenses like assault (Section 13-1203), criminal damage (Section 13-1602), and other felonies listed in the bill. If convicted under these circumstances, defendants face a 3- to 5-year sentence increase (depending on felony class) and cannot receive probation, suspended sentences, or early release until the full term is served. The law explicitly states it does not restrict constitutional free speech rights.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison sentences for hate crimes, removes probation/early release options, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and reduced defendant rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

failed · Arizona · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 2413: sex offenders; electronic monitoring

HB 2413 amends Arizona's sex offender registration law (ARS § 13-3821) to expand registration requirements for individuals convicted of specific sex offenses against minors. It directly affects people convicted of 22 listed offenses - including child sexual abuse, trafficking, and certain repeated indecency violations - who must register with local sheriffs within 10 days of conviction or 72 hours after entering Arizona. Key provisions require registrants to provide detailed personal information (including online identifiers, vehicle details, and child custody status), and extend registration obligations to those employed or enrolled in school in Arizona for more than 14 consecutive days. The bill does not address electronic monitoring; its focus is solely on broadening registration rules and data collection for sex offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands sex offender registration requirements, increasing monitoring and restricting registrant rights through mandatory detailed reporting within 72 hours.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track