The Arizona State Capitol Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. January 13, 2025
A state Senate's Military Affairs and Border Security Committee approved a bill on Monday directing the Arizona Department of Administration to rent the Marana prison complex to the federal government to house people held for immigration violations.
The bill is sponsored by state Senator John Kavanaugh. The Fountain Hills Republican told the committee the prison is not in use and is currently for sale.
"So in an effort to cooperate with the federal government and assist in their endeavor because we are a partner government. This would have the state of Arizona lease it for a dollar a year, they would have to maintain it in the condition it was found in and return it in good condition. And they could terminate the lease if we suddenly needed it for prisoners which is unlikely since the population is way down," Kavanaugh said.
The bill also requires the federal government to return the prison if a buyer is found for the property. It passed the committee on a 4-3 party-line vote.
It has one more committee stop before heading to the full Senate. The proposal will then go to the House.
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