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HB 4143

2026-2027; criminal justice.

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Michael Carbone and 4 co-sponsors

Arizona requires annual DOC bed capacity reports to JLBC, with detailed facility data, reasons for permanent bed eliminations, and plans to vacate beds, plus JLBC review for large

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Bill Summary · HB 4143

Summary of HB 4143 (Arizona, 57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session)

Bill overview

  • Bill number: HB 4143
  • Session: 57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)
  • Jurisdiction: Arizona
  • Subject area: Criminal justice (budget-related provisions)
  • Sponsor(s): Representative Livingston (primary); Co-sponsors: Carter, Montenegro, Carbone, Willoughby
  • Committee: Appropriations

HB 4143 adds a new statutory requirement relating to bed capacity reporting for state and private correctional facilities. The provision is designed to support budgetary oversight and planning by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) by ensuring up-to-date, detailed data on prison bed capacity and related changes.

Purpose and intent

  • To establish a formal, annual reporting requirement on prison bed capacity from the Department of Corrections (DOC) to JLBC.
  • To improve transparency and enable more informed budget and capacity planning decisions by the legislature.
  • To require detailed context for changes in bed capacity (e.g., why permanent beds are eliminated vs. temporary beds reduced, and future plans to vacate beds without removing them from counts).

Key provisions

New statutory section: 41-1604.21 Bed capacity; annual report

  • Reporting deadline: The DOC must provide the annual report to JLBC on or before November 1 of each year.
  • Content of the report:
    1. Bed capacity by classification and gender: For each state correctional facility and private prison, report bed capacity by security classification and gender, separated into:
      • Rated beds
      • Total beds
    2. Historical and projected data: Include bed capacity data at the end of the previous two fiscal years and projected capacity at the end of the current fiscal year, with explanations for any changes within that period. The total count must specify the number of temporary and special-use beds.
    3. Rationale for permanent bed eliminations: Explain why the department would eliminate permanent beds rather than reducing temporary bed levels.
    4. Plans to vacate beds: Include any plans to vacate beds without permanently removing them from the bed count. If the DOC develops a plan after submitting the annual report to open or close 100 or more state correctional facility or private prison rated beds, the DOC must submit a plan detailing the proposed bed changes for JLBC review before implementation.

Procedural requirement for large bed changes

  • If the DOC develops a plan after submitting its annual report that would open or close 100 or more rated beds (state facilities or private prisons), the DOC must submit that plan to JLBC for review prior to implementing the changes.

Who is affected

  • Primary agency: Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC)
  • Recipient of information: Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC)
  • Facilities covered: All state correctional facilities and private prisons in Arizona (for bed capacity data and changes)
  • Indirect impacts: Legislators and budget overseers rely on the annual report for capacity planning, budgeting, and oversight of prison infrastructure and operations.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • Annual reporting deadline: November 1 each year.
  • Review trigger: Any plan to open or close 100 or more rated beds requires JLBC review before implementation (if developed after the annual report submission).
  • Effective date: The text does not specify an immediate effective date beyond the reporting obligation; typically, the new reporting requirement would apply in the fiscal year following enactment, subject to passage and signing.

Potential impact and implications

  • Budget planning: Provides JLBC with consistent, detailed data to inform appropriation decisions, facility funding, and workforce planning.
  • Accountability: Creates a formal mechanism to justify changes to bed capacity (permanent vs. temporary) and to disclose plans to vacate beds.
  • Transparency: Enhances visibility into capacity trends, including gender- and security-classification breakdowns, which may influence policy discussions on incarceration, infrastructure investment, and alternatives to incarceration.
  • Operational planning: DOC gains clarity on capacity trends and requirements for temporary/special-use beds, potentially guiding facility management and construction/decommissioning decisions.

Format and style

  • Clear, accessible language suitable for both policymakers and the general public.
  • Information presented with sections for purpose, provisions, affected parties, timelines, and implications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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