Advocacy Toolkit

ACLU of Arizona breakdown of the nine steps a bill takes to become law at the Arizona Legislature. Includes timeline for January through July and explains when advocates should intervene in the process.

Comprehensive guide to Arizona's legislature including how state government affects daily life, key players, processes, and power structures. Covers calling/writing legislators, social media engagement, letters to the editor, and the Request to Speak system.

Practical guide for amplifying voices at the Arizona Capitol. Tips on knowing your district, planning what to say, mentioning bill numbers, telling personal stories, and using the "problem, solution, action" framework.

ASU's guide to the Arizona Legislature including how a bill becomes law, the Governor's five-day/ten-day veto timeline, override requirements (2/3 vote), and the initiative/referendum process (10% signature threshold for initiatives, 15% for constitutional amendments). Includes visual flowchart.

Effective grassroots advocacy techniques: mention bill number and position in first two sentences; keep communications to one page; explain constituent impact; avoid form letters; time contacts before committee votes for committee members and before floor votes for other representatives.

Five-step framework for legislative persuasion: (I) Gain Attention, (II) Explain the Need with local statistics, (III) Provide a Solution, (IV) Help Visualize Benefits using legislator-friendly language, (V) Ask for Action. Includes sample letter formats and phone scripts.

Framework for developing a legislative/public policy agenda including a "Three Tiered" approach: Tier 1 (actively pursue), Tier 2 (support/oppose as needed), Tier 3 (monitor). Useful for coalition agenda-setting and ensuring all working groups speak with one voice.

JAN's 2026 Arizona priorities: correctional oversight funding ($1.5M for new independent office, SB 1032); ending driver's license suspensions for unpaid traffic tickets; waiver of remaining court debt after consistent payments; retroactive applicability for reform bills. 25 bills passed in Arizona since 2016.

Official state guide to using the Request to Speak system. Explains the one-time physical activation requirement, how to register opinions, leave comments for committee members, and request to speak at hearings. Critical tool for remote advocacy.

The ACLU of Arizona provides RTS training and legislative advocacy guides. Covers bill tracking, effective testimony preparation, and coordination strategies for coalition advocates at the Capitol.

Comprehensive toolkit for criminal justice strategic planning. Includes resources on behavioral health partnerships, the Sequential Intercept Model, braided funding, Death in Custody Reporting Act compliance, crisis planning, and Byrne JAG strategic planning workshops.

Guide to local Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) and state-local justice coordination. Includes recommendations for data collection, analysis for policy purposes, supporting local coordinating councils, and grant incentives for jurisdictions with planning boards.

Policy statements covering: prisoner reentry (evidence-based programs, validated risk assessment, continuum of services); racial disparity (research funding, distinguishing system-caused vs. external factors); role of State Administering Agencies; tribal nations and criminal justice; state strategic planning.

Works on innocence claims, unjust sentencing, and post-release support. Successfully advocated for SB 1500 (2025) creating Arizona's first wrongful conviction compensation program (pilot through June 2027). $3 million appropriated. Compensation at 200% of median household income per year incarcerated.

Provides pro bono legal services to convicted individuals with claims of actual innocence. Trains law students in causes of wrongful convictions and innocence litigation. Fills gap where Arizona defendants are not entitled to appointed counsel beyond initial postconviction proceedings.

Community organization focused on ending mass incarceration in Arizona. Publishes budget analyses, policy critiques, and advocacy materials. Critical of ADCRR spending priorities and infrastructure failures.

Longstanding Arizona prison reform organization providing educational resources on community supervision, parole, truth-in-sentencing, and legislative developments. Maintains extensive FAQ and resource library.

Active legislative advocacy at Arizona Capitol. Provides RTS training, legislative process guides, and bill tracking. Key 2025 wins: SB 1507 (independent correctional oversight office), HB 2720 (ended crack-cocaine disparity), SB 1343 (expanded probation courtesy transfers). 2026 priorities include oversight funding, court debt reforms, and Clean Slate expungement.

Immigration and criminal justice reform organization producing state-specific research. Arizona reports on imprisonment crisis, earned release credits, and economic impact. Uses individual-level corrections data cleaned to national standards.