ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

House: GOV DP 7-0-0-0

HB 2063: appropriation; independent correctional oversight office.

Sponsor: Representative Blackman, LD 7

Committee on Appropriations

Overview

Allocates $1,500,000 from the state general fund (GF) in FY 2027 to the Corrections Oversight Fund (Fund).

History

Laws 2025, Chapter 258 established the Independent Correctional Oversight Office (Office) with a director and several responsibilities related to the Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC), including: 1) monitoring the conditions of confinement at DOC facilities; 2) providing information to inmates and their families about inmate rights; 3) promoting public awareness about inmate rights and responsibilities; 4) creating a secure telephone hotline and online form for DOC employees, contractors and inmates to make complaints; 5) setting office priorities, participating in DOC related issues at the Legislature and establishing a statewide reporting system for complaints against DOC; 6) inspecting each correctional facility at least once every two years; 7) gathering stakeholder input and setting quarterly stakeholder meetings; 8) submitting an annual report to the Governor and Legislature regarding the Office's operations, findings and key indicators about inmate wellbeing; and 9) investigating, at its discretion, complaints concerning the treatment of inmates. The Office administers the Fund, which consists of legislative appropriations, federal funds, private grants, gifts, contributions and devises. Fund monies are exempt from lapsing (A.R.S. §§ 41-7002, 41-7007).

Provisions

1. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2027 to the Fund for use by the Independent Correctional Oversight Office Director. (Sec. 1)

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5. Initials ML HB 2063

6. 2/16/2026 Page 0 Appropriations

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