appropriation; Arizona homeland security; cybersecurity

Plain English Breakdown

The bill specifies that the money must be used for generative artificial intelligence tools and a zero-trust network access solution but does not provide details on specific technologies or future funding amounts.

Arizona Cybersecurity Funding

This bill gives $2.5 million from state money to help Arizona's homeland security department protect against cyber threats.

What This Bill Does

• Gives the Arizona Department of Homeland Security (AZDOHS) $2,500,000 for cybersecurity programs in fiscal year 2026-2027.
• Requires AZDOHS to use $500,000 of this money on generative artificial intelligence tools that can help with cybersecurity.
• Requires AZDOHS to spend $2,000,000 to modernize the state's virtual private network (VPN) security system using a zero-trust network access solution.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Arizona Department of Homeland Security
• Arizona residents and businesses through improved cybersecurity measures

Terms To Know

cybersecurity programs

Activities that protect computer systems from attacks or unauthorized access.

VPN security network

A system that creates a secure connection over the internet to protect data and communications.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much money will be available in future years.
• It is unclear what specific generative artificial intelligence tools AZDOHS will use with the $500,000 allocated for this purpose.

Official Summary Text

SB1088 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
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COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1088

appropriation;
Arizona homeland security; cybersecurity

Purpose

Appropriates
$2,500,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2027 to the Arizona
Department of Homeland Security (AZDOHS) for cybersecurity programs.

Background

AZDOHS must
formulate policies, plans and programs to enhance the ability of the state to
prevent and respond to acts of terrorism, cybersecurity threats and other
critical hazards. AZDOHS must adhere to all federal grants, request
appropriations or grants monies for homeland security purposes, receive all
granted awards by the federal government for homeland security purposes and
distribute monies to local jurisdictions and other organizations eligible under
federal regulations (
A.R.S.
� 41-4254
).

S.B. 1088 appropriates $2,500,000 from the state GF to AZDOHS.

Provisions

1.

Appropriates $2,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2027 to AZDOHS for
cybersecurity programs.

2.

Requires $500,000 of the appropriation to be used for generative
artificial intelligence and $2,000,000 to be used to modernize the statewide
VPN security network with a zero-trust network access solution.

3.

Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 4, 2026

LMM/ci

Current Bill Text

SB1088 - 572R - S Ver

Senate Engrossed

appropriation;
Arizona homeland security; cybersecurity

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1088

AN
ACT

Appropriating monies to the arizona department
of homeland security.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.
Appropriation;
Arizona department of homeland security; cybersecurity programs

The sum of $2,500,000 is appropriated
from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Arizona department
of homeland security for cybersecurity programs. Of the
appropriation made in this section, $500,000 shall be used for generative
artificial intelligence cybersecurity programs and $2,000,000 shall be used to
modernize the statewide VPN security network with a zero trust network access
solution.