Legislation aimed at improving the lives and working conditions of Arizona's Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers is moving forward. State Representative David Marshall, who chairs the House Committee on Public Safety & Law Enforcement, is sponsoring a bill that seeks to ensure fair wages and competitive pay for these law enforcement professionals. Named HB2386, the bill passed through his committee late Monday, receiving bipartisan support for an initiative that could impact public safety across the state.

HB2386 is designed to support Arizona's public safety workforce. The proposed pay figures are based on the salaries of county and municipal law enforcement officers in Arizona's largest precincts, which, according to Marshall, reflects a fair approach. "Our Troopers put their lives on the line every day to keep our highways safe, combat drug trafficking, and take violent criminals off the streets," Marshall said in a news release from the Arizona House of Representatives. "HB2386 ensures they are paid fairly and competitively, just like their counterparts in county and municipal agencies. It’s common sense – Arizona can’t afford to lose highly trained law enforcement officers due to pay disparities," he added.

Marshall's proposal aims to work within Arizona's budget without adding additional strain. The Parity Compensation Fund will finance the new pay benchmarks, which will be reviewed annually to ensure DPS pay aligns with benchmark agencies. The goal is to provide a structured and fiscally responsible approach to maintaining competitive compensation for DPS Troopers.

Representative David Marshall represents Legislative District 7, covering parts of Pinal, Gila, Coconino, and Navajo Counties. As Chairman of the House Committee on Public Safety & Law Enforcement, he plays a role in Arizona's discussions on public safety reforms.