ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

Senate: FIN DP 4-3-0-0 | Third Read: 16-13-1-0-0

House: APPROP DPA/SE 18-0-0-1

☒ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☒ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

SB 1503: public pensions; proxy voting

NOW: first responders; state death benefit

Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19

House Engrossed

Overview

Expands the persons eligible for the state death benefit by adding a pilot who is employed by a law enforcement agency to the definition of first responder.

History

The state death benefit, established by Proposition 311 and effective July 1, 2025, provides $250,000 in financial assistance to the families of first responders killed in the line of duty. Payment is issued within 30 days after the State Treasurer receives written notice from the employer. The benefit is paid to the surviving spouse, or, if none, divided equally among surviving children (A.R.S. § 38-1172).

Proposition 311 also created the State Supplemental Benefit Fund (Fund), administered by the State Treasurer to pay these benefits. The Fund consists of appropriations from the Legislature and $20 criminal penalty assessments. If the fund exceeds $2,000,000, the Legislature may appropriate those excess monies for peace officer training, equipment and other benefits, including assistance to first responders who are seriously injured in the line of duty and the first responder's family (A.R.S. §§ 12-116.12; 38-1173).

First responder means: 1) a peace officer, firefighter, fire marshal, fire inspector, emergency medical care technician, paramedic engaged in the execution of any official duties, and a tribal police officer; and 2) includes a member of the Arizona national guard who is on state active duty in this State and a correctional officer who is employed by the State Department of Corrections (A.R.S. §§ 13-1204; 38-1171).

Killed in the line of duty means killed as the result of another person's criminal act while in the performance of the first responder's official duties (A.R.S. § 38-1171).

Provisions

1.   Amends the definition of first responder to include a pilot who is employed by a law enforcement agency. (Sec. 1)

2.   Makes the legislation retroactive to January 1, 2026. (Sec. 2)

3.   Contains a Proposition 105 clause. (Sec. 3)

4.   Contains an emergency clause. (Sec. 4)

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7.   ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

8.   Initials DS/AI                  SB 1503

9.   4/9/2026    Page 0 House Engrossed

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11.  ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------