SB1195 • 2026

appropriation; legal assistance services aid

SB1195 - appropriation; legal assistance services aid

Budget Housing

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Analise Ortiz, Shawnna Bolick
Last action: 2026-01-21
Official status: Senate second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide information about what happens after fiscal year 2026-2027 or if the funding will continue beyond this period.

Legal Assistance Services Aid

This bill provides $10 million from the state general fund to support free legal assistance services for civil cases and requires a yearly report on its use.

What This Bill Does

Gives $10 million to the Department of Economic Security (DES) in fiscal year 2026-2027 to pay for free legal help services across Arizona, provided by nonprofit organizations consistent with the 2025 grant terms and conditions of the Legal Assistance Services Corporation.
Requires DES to write an annual report about the use of this money from August 15, 2027 through December 31, 2032, including how many cases were helped and what kind of legal issues they dealt with.

Who It Names or Affects

People who need free civil legal help in Arizona
Nonprofit organizations providing these services
The Department of Economic Security (DES)

Terms To Know

Civil Legal Assistance Services: Free legal help for people dealing with non-criminal issues like family disputes or housing problems.
Department of Economic Security (DES): A state agency that provides services to help Arizonans meet their basic needs and improve their economic situation.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens after fiscal year 2026-2027.
It is unclear if the funding will continue beyond the initial period without further legislation.

Bill History

2026-01-21 Senate
Senate second read
2026-01-20 Senate
Senate Rules: None
2026-01-20 Senate
Senate Judiciary and Elections: None
2026-01-20 Senate
Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology: None
2026-01-20 Senate
Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1195 - appropriation; legal assistance services aid

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB1195 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
appropriation; legal assistance services aid

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1195

Introduced by

Senators
Ortiz: Bolick

AN
ACT

APPROPRIATING monies to the department of
economic security.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

Section 1.
Appropriation;
department of economic security; legal assistance services aid; annual report;
exemption; intent

A. The sum of $10,000,000
is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the
department of economic security to support the coordination and delivery of
free, statewide general civil legal assistance services that are provided by
nonprofit organizations consistent with the 2025 grant terms and conditions of
the legal assistance services corporation as authorized pursuant to 42 United
States Code section 2996f.

B. On or before August 15,
2027 through December 31, 2032, the department of economic security shall
submit a report on the status of legal assistance provided with the
appropriation made in subsection A of this section for the preceding twelve
months to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of
state. The report shall include statistical data regarding:

1. The number of cases
opened and closed.

2. The areas of law the
cases concern.

3. The services provided.

4. General non-identifying
demographic information related to the persons who received assistance pursuant
to this section.

C. The appropriation made
in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section
35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.

D. The legislature intends
that the appropriation made in subsection A of this section be considered
ongoing funding in fiscal years.