ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Forty-seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1496
Arizona rangers; DPS
Purpose
Makes the Arizona Rangers part of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and makes them eligible for workers’ compensation while on duty.
Background
The Arizona Rangers (Rangers) were established in 1901 by the Territorial Governor to prepare the territory of Arizona for inclusion in the United States by assisting law enforcement with cattle wranglers and other outlaws. The Rangers were disbanded by the Legislature in 1909, but were reestablished by several original members in 1957 as a community service organization. Laws 2002, Chapter 112 recognized the Rangers in statute as an unpaid, noncommissioned civilian auxiliary that is available for the purpose of assisting and supporting law enforcement on the request of, and under the direction, control and supervision of, established law enforcement officials or officers. The Rangers do not possess any law enforcement or investigative powers that are not provided in law for all citizens of Arizona (A.R.S. § 41-4201).
Statute requires employers to provide workers’ compensation coverage for all employees at no cost to the employee. The State of Arizona provides workers’ compensation for state employees through self-insurance. The Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) administers claims according to the workers’ compensation statutes governing all employers and rules and regulations established by the Industrial Commission of Arizona.
There may be a fiscal impact to DPS associated with including the Rangers as part of DPS. There may also be a fiscal impact to DPS and ADOA associated with paying the costs of workers’ compensation benefits for Rangers while on duty.
Provisions
1. Requires the Director of the DPS to include the Rangers as part of DPS if the Rangers are organized as a nonprofit organization in Arizona.
2. Establishes the Rangers statutorily and requires the Rangers to be included in DPS.
3. Deems members of the Rangers, while they are on duty, as state employees for the purpose of securing workers’ compensation benefits in the same manner as regular state employees.
4. Allows monies in the Arizona Highway Patrol Fund, except monies received from the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, to be used to administer the laws relating to the Rangers.
5. Makes technical changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 14, 2006
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