AZ Sen. Finchem Says Arizona Rangers Bill Focuses on Accountability, Not Elimination

Arizona Sen. Mark Finchem told The California Globe in a phone interview Sunday that legislation he introduced with Sen. Wendy Rogers to repeal statutory recognition of the Arizona Rangers is intended to address accountability and regulatory consistency—not to dissolve the volunteer organization.

In an interview conducted ahead of an anticipated public hearing, Finchem said Senate Bill 1071 is narrowly focused on aligning oversight standards for organizations that provide security services.

“What it does is it causes a shift in accountability,” Finchem said. “In the direction of the same level of accountability that a security guard company or security company would have to carry.”

 “The biggest reason for this is accountability,” he added. “It’s… all about accountability.”

As previously reported by California Globe, SB 1071 would repeal statutory language recognizing the Arizona Rangers and exempting their members from certain licensing requirements when assisting law enforcement, subjecting the organization to the same regulatory framework as other private security personnel. When that description of the bill’s effect was read back to him during the interview, Finchem responded, “I could not have said that better myself.”

Bill Does Not Abolish the Arizona Rangers

Finchem rejected claims that the legislation would eliminate the Arizona Rangers as an organization.

“The exemption doesn’t do away with the Rangers,” he said. “They are a 501-C3.”

He emphasized that the bill targets statutory exemptions rather than the organization’s existence.

Praise for Rank-and-File Members

While supporting changes to the organization’s regulatory treatment, Finchem repeatedly expressed respect for the Rangers’ volunteers.

“I love the Arizona Rangers,” he said. “I love the men and women who have provided so many hours of volunteer service.”

Finchem heavily emphasized the commitment of the “rank and file” among the Rangers.

“Their dedication, the rank-and-file dedication is unquestionable,” Finchem said. “I have great respect for the rank and file.”

Legislative Process Ahead

Finchem said SB1071 is expected to move quickly into the formal legislative process.

“The bill is probably going to be first read tomorrow or the next day,” he said, referring to the Legislature opening on Monday, adding that he expects it to be scheduled for a committee hearing “next week or the week after.”

He indicated that additional details would be addressed during the public hearing process.