Assigned to FIN & APPROP                                                                                        FOR COMMITTEE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2008

 

PSPRS; membership; park rangers

 

Purpose

 

Allows Arizona State Parks Board and county park rangers who are certified peace officers to join the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

 

Background

 

The statutory definition of “eligible groups” authorized to participate in PSPRS include public safety employees (police, fire, et al.) who are regularly assigned to hazardous duty. Under the current definition, park rangers are not eligible to participate in this retirement system (A.R.S.  §38-842, paragraph 13).  

 

State and county park rangers who are certified peace officers receive the same mandatory annual training from the Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board as other law enforcement officers. In addition to annual training, the certification process requires a minimum of 585 hours of initial training including an introduction to criminal justice, firearms and driving instruction. 

 

State and county park rangers perform tasks and law enforcement duties necessary to provide for the safety and welfare of the citizens using the park facilities, including providing first aid and CPR, enforcing DUI laws and traffic violations, investigating criminal offenses, accidents and assaults in remote areas.

 

Arizona State Parks lost 14 percent of its officers to other law enforcement agencies in 1998 and 1999 while the Maricopa County Park Police experienced a 100 percent turnover from 1996 to 1999. According to the park services, park ranger eligibility in PSPRS would improve the retention problem.

 

This measure appropriates $209,400 annually from the state parks enhancement fund to the Arizona State Parks Board for the purpose of making employer contributions to PSPRS. 

 

Provisions

 

1.      Allows Arizona State Parks Board rangers and managers and county park rangers who are certified peace officers to join PSPRS.

 

2.      Appropriates $209,400 from the state parks enhancement fund to the State Parks Board in FY 2001-2002 and every fiscal year thereafter for the purpose of making employer contributions to PSPRS on behalf of participating employees.

 

3.      Specifies that the joinder by the Arizona State Parks Board Rangers and managers into PSPRS is subject to legislative appropriation.

 

4.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

5.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

House Action

 

RGO                1/16/01            DP       9-0-0-1

APPROP         3/6/01              DPA    11-1-0-4

3rd Read           3/19/01                        51-0-9-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

March 23, 2001