continuation; automobile
theft authority
HB 2474 continues the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority until July 1, 2007.
HB 2474 was amended in the Committee of the Whole as follows:
Eliminates the requirement that the legislative members appointed to the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority serve on the Senate or House Judiciary, Transportation or Banking and Insurance Committees.
The Automobile Theft
Authority is responsible for analyzing methods of combating Arizona’s
automobile theft problem and promoting successful methods of reducing the
number of vehicle thefts in Arizona. The Authority participates in or provides
funding for three major types of programs:
1)
Public
awareness—the Authority
increases public awareness by educating Arizona citizens about automobile theft
and theft protection through use of media campaigns, community events, and
other public relations efforts and issuing grants to law enforcement agencies;
2)
Prosecution—the Authority provides some funding to the three
county attorney offices with the highest vehicle theft rates in order to focus
efforts on prosecuting auto theft cases; and
3)
Investigation—the Authority funds the Arizona Vehicle Theft
Task Force, which coordinates a statewide law enforcement effort to combat
vehicle theft.
The Arizona Automobile
Theft Authority was established in 1992 and is responsible for determining the
scope of the State’s motor vehicle theft problem and analyzing the various
methods of combating it. In fiscal year 2001, the Authority distributed about
$2.8 million in grants for a statewide law enforcement effort to investigate
vehicle theft, programs dedicated to prosecuting auto theft cases, and public
education efforts. The Authority’s revenue is generated through a semiannual
assessment of 50 cents per insured vehicle from all insurance carriers who sell
motor vehicle liability policies in the State.
HB 2474 was amended in the Committee of the Whole as follows:
Eliminates the requirement that the legislative members appointed to the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority serve on the Senate or House Judiciary, Transportation or Banking and Insurance Committees.