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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
school safety interoperability monies; return
Purpose
Requires, by September 30, 2026, Maricopa County, the City of Yuma and the City of Tucson to return to the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) any unencumbered and unexpended monies remaining from the School Safety Interoperability Fund (Fund) distributions made in FYs 2022 and 2023 for deposit back into the Fund.
Background
Statute requires ADOA to distribute Fund monies to the sheriffs of a county, city or town police department that establishes a school safety program. Fund monies may be used only for a school safety program that: 1) encompasses schools throughout Arizona; 2) enables the deployment of a secure, multimedia data communications system for public safety agencies and public schools; 3) provides a communications solution environment that allows for identification, secure messaging, information sharing and alarm system integration as outlined; 4) is capable of being deployed to end users on existing communication assets; 5) allows each participating entity to maintain real-time communication; 6) encrypts all media communications; 7) is certified under the federal Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act; 8) is compatible with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Interoperable Gateway System for disaster communications; 9) ensures student and staff privacy; and 10) enables integration to school access control to allow remote lockdown by law enforcement (A.R.S. § 41-1733).
Laws 2021, Chapter 408 appropriated a total of $2,500,000 from the Arizona Highway Patrol Fund in FY 2022 to the State Treasurer for the Fund and directed the State Treasurer to distribute $2,100,000 to the Maricopa County Sheriff. Laws 2022, Chapter 313 appropriated a total of $20,000,000 from the state General Fund in FY 2023 to ADOA for the Fund and directed ADOA to distribute: 1) $3,050,000 to the Maricopa County Sheriff; 2) $1,350,000 to the City of Yuma Police Department; and 3) $2,000,000 to the Tucson Police Department.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, by September 30, 2026, Maricopa County, the City of Yuma and the City of Tucson to return to ADOA any unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining from the Fund distribution made to such entities in FYs 2022 and 2023.
2. Requires, by September 30, 2026, ADOA to deposit Maricopa County's, the City of Yuma's and the City of Tucson's unexpended and unencumbered monies in the Fund.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Makes technical changes.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Adds the City of Yuma to the list of entities that must return to ADOA any monies remaining from the Fund distributions made in FYs 2022 and 2023.
Senate Action
ED 2/11/26 DPA 4-2-2
Prepared by Senate Research
February 25, 2026
MH/hk