cargo theft task force, the official text

House Engrossed
Senate Bill

cargo theft task
force

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1452

AN
ACT

Amending Title 41, chapter 1, article 5,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-191.14; relating to the attorney
general.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

Section 1.1. Title
41, chapter 1, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding
section 41-191.14, to read:

START_STATUTE41-191.14. Cargo theft
task force; members; duties; annual report; definitions

A. subject to
legislative appropriation, The attorney general shall establish a cargo theft
task force to combat crimes involving the theft, diversion, embezzlement,
unlawful taking or fraudulent acquisition of cargo or freight.  The attorney
general shall invite federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to
participate in the task force to use the combined skills, expertise and
resources of law enforcement personnel more effectively.  The task force shall
focus on offenses involving cargo moving in, constituting or affecting
interstate or intrastate commerce.

B. The task force shall consist of
the following members:

1. One full-time:

(a) Prosecutor.

(b) Paralegal.

(c) Support
staff member.

2. Six investigators.

3. Any additional law enforcement
personnel designated by the attorney general.

C. The task force shall:

1. Meet regularly to review
investigations and intelligence and to provide updates on ongoing cases to task
force members.

2. Investigate, apprehend and
recommend for prosecution, as appropriate, individuals or entities that engage
in cargo theft or related offenses, including organized or repeat offenders and
persons who knowingly facilitate, finance or receive stolen cargo for financial
gain.

3. Investigate offenses or violations
that are under the attorney general's jurisdiction as prescribed by section 21-422.

4. Review, investigate and recommend
for prosecution appropriate cases referred by federal, state or local law
enforcement agencies.

5. Coordinate with law enforcement
agencies and industry stakeholders to identify emerging cargo theft trends and
methods and to recommend prevention strategies.

D. On or before July 1, 2027 and each
year thereafter, the attorney general shall submit a report to the governor,
the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and
provide a copy of the report to the secretary of state on the task force's
activities.  The report must include all of the following, to the extent
applicable:

1. A summary of investigations,
prosecutions and enforcement actions taken by the task force.

2. Information regarding trends and
patterns related to cargo theft in this state.

3. The amount and type of stolen
cargo recovered.

4. The number of cases in which
restitution was ordered and the total value of restitution ordered and
collected.

5. The value of assets forfeited
pursuant to existing law.

6. Any recommendations for
legislative or policy action relating to criminal penalties, enforcement tools
or interagency coordination to reduce cargo theft and protect the economy of
this state.

E. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Cargo" means
merchandise, goods or wares that are transported or intended to be transported
in commerce, including goods at any stage of the supply chain from origin to
final destination, whether the goods are moving or temporarily stored.

2. "Cargo theft" includes
unlawful taking or appropriating cargo or freight, including theft accomplished
through fraud, deception, misrepresentation or identity manipulation, from a
commercial motor vehicle, trailer, railcar, intermodal container, warehouse,
freight facility, distribution center or other location within the supply
chain, whether the cargo is moving in interstate or intrastate commerce.