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Panel backs bill to replace Arizona Criminal Justice Commission with sheriffs-led commission
Summary
Senate Bill 1279 would repeal the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and create a Sheriffs Criminal Justice Commission staffed and appointed predominately by elected sheriffs and the legislature; sponsors argued for local accountability while critics warned experts would be removed from oversight roles.
The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 12-79 after hearing sponsor remarks that the measure would repeal the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) and establish a new Sheriffs Criminal Justice Commission (SCJC).
Staff briefed the committee on an amendment that would repeal ACJC, create an SCJC as the successor entity, and transfer ACJC’s authorities, personnel and records to the new commission on a specified date; the amendment also included a termination date for the SCJC in 2033. The amendment describes membership appointments: sheriffs appointed by the president of the Senate, the House and the governor, and two public members appointed by the governor from different parties. Staff said the SCJC would meet quarterly and that prior ACJC rules and orders would remain in effect until superseded.
The sponsor said the ACJC had persistent problems and that sheriffs, as elected county officials, would provide a more accountable governance structure for distributing grants and coordinating law-enforcement funding. He also said sheriffs had expressed willingness to assume this role.
A range of senators questioned whether replacing the ACJC with a sheriffs-led body would remove needed subject-matter experts (public defenders, victim advocates, probation officers) from oversight. One member said the change “removes quite a few experts” and raised concerns about concentrating authority among elected sheriffs. The sponsor acknowledged the concerns and said reforms and further discussion could continue.
There were no public speakers recorded in opposition or support during the committee hearing. The committee voted to give SB 12-79 a due-pass recommendation (4 ayes, 2 noes, 1 not voting).
