Crucial Prop 311 vote will determine how much we value our first responders

Some opponents argue that it unfairly burdens criminals!

PUBLISHED OCT 13, 2024

The proposal aims not only to provide financial security to affected families but also to encourage recruitment and retention of first responders.

Phoenix, Arizona: Proposition 311 will be put to Arizona voters. Th emeasure aims to establish a state death benefit fund aimed at supporting the families of fallen first responders. The proposal inspired by the loss of Phoenix police officer Zane Coolidge, seeks to provide financial relief to those who lose loved ones in the line of duty.

If approved, the fund would grant a lump-sum payment of $250,000 to the spouse or children of any first responder killed during service as a result of a criminal act. The fund will be capped at $2 million and financed by a new $20 fee imposed on criminal convictions. Payments to eligible families would be made within one month of the responder’s death.

In addition to providing financial support, Prop 311 also proposes to strengthen penalties for assaults against first responders.

State Senator David Gowan, a sponsor of the legislation that introduced Prop 311, told Arizona's Family that the fund was a way to show appreciation without placing an excessive burden on state resources.

"It’s not so much that it hurts the coffers of the state," Gowan told the network, "but enough to show our appreciation for a fallen first responder’s service."

Gowan added that once the fund reaches the $2 million limit, any excess funds could be allocated by the legislature toward programs benefiting first responders, including equipment and training initiatives.

In addition to providing financial support, Prop 311 also proposes to strengthen penalties for assaults against first responders, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and correctional officers.

While the measure has garnered support for recognizing the sacrifices of first responders, some opponents argue that it unfairly burdens individuals convicted of crimes with additional fees. Critics suggest that funding for such benefits should come from the state’s general fund rather than adding more fines, which could disproportionately impact certain populations.

The proposal aims not only to provide financial security to affected families but also to encourage recruitment and retention of first responders, who are increasingly difficult to hire amid rising crime rates and staffing shortages in Arizona’s public safety sector.

If passed, the new fee and state death benefit fund will go into effect on July 1, 2025. The measure also includes a sunset clause, meaning it will automatically be repealed in 2033 unless renewed by voters or the legislature.