ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

Senate: PS DP 7-0-0-0 | Third Read 20-7-3-0

House: TI DPA 5-0-0-2

SB 1452: cargo theft task force

Sponsor: Senator Payne, LD 27

Caucus & COW

Overview

Instructs the Attorney General (AG) to establish a Cargo Theft Task Force (Task Force). Outlines membership, duty and reporting requirements.

History

The AG was tasked with establishing the Organized Retail Theft Task Force to combat crimes that relate to stealing, embezzling or obtaining retail merchandise by fraud, false pretenses or other illegal means for the purposes of reselling the items (A.R.S. § 41-191.13).

The AG oversees and directs the Department of Law and serves as Chief Legal Officer of the state. The AG is the legal advisor of the departments of this state and render such legal services as the departments require and establish administrative and operational policies and procedures within his department.

The AG may organize the Department of Law into such bureaus, subdivisions or units as he deems most efficient and economical, and consolidate or abolish them and adopt rules for the orderly conduct of the business of the Department of Law (A.R.S. § 41-192).

The Arizona Department of Transportation must disqualify a person who is required to have a commercial driver license (CDL), who is a CDL holder or who is a commercial learner's permit holder from driving a commercial motor vehicle for at least one year if a person uses a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony (A.R.S. § 28-3312).

Provisions

1. Tasks the AG with establishing the Task Force to combat outlined crimes relating to cargo or freight. (Sec. 1)

2. Mandates the AG to invite federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to participate in the Task Force. (Sec. 1)

3. Stipulates that the Task Force must focus on offenses involving cargo moving in, constituting or affecting interstate or intrastate commerce. (Sec. 1)

4. Outlines the membership of the Task Force to include:

a. one full-time:

i. prosecutor;

ii. paralegal;

iii. support staff member;

b. six investigators; and

c. any additional law enforcement personnel designated by the AG. (Sec. 1)

5. Requires the Task Force to:

a. meet regularly to review investigations and intelligence and to provide updates on ongoing cases to Task Force members;

b. investigate, apprehend and recommend for prosecution, as appropriate, individuals or entities that engage in cargo theft or related offenses and persons who commit crimes related to cargo for financial gain;

c. investigate, under the AG's jurisdiction, offenses or violations;

d. review, investigate and recommend for prosecution appropriate cases referred by federal, state or local law enforcement agencies; and

e. coordinate with law enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders to identify emerging cargo theft trends and methods and to recommend prevention strategies. (Sec. 1)

6. Instructs the AG to submit a report to the Governor, Senate President and Speaker and provide a copy to the Secretary of State, by July 1, 2027 annually, on the Task Force's activities. (Sec. 1)

7. Outlines reporting requirements. (Sec. 1)

8. Defines pertinent terms. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure

1. Subjects the Task Force to legislative appropriation.

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5. Initials LM/IC SB 1452

6. 3/3/2026 Page 0 Caucus & COW

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