PHOENIX (AZFamille) — The Associated Press says Arizona voters resoundingly approved a ballot measure establishing a new state death insurance fund.

Early results showed 62.9% of the vote in favor of Proposition 311 with a total of 1,078,818 votes as of 8:45 p.m.

Prop 311 will allow the surviving spouse or children of a first responder killed by the criminal act of another person. The recipient(s) would receive a lump sum payment of $250,000.

Gowan sponsored the legislation that put Proposition 311 on the ballot last November.

Money from the fund, capped at $2 million, must be paid to the family within 30 days of notification to the state of a first responder’s death.

“Once the number hits the 2 million mark, anything above that, the legislature will have the authority to help our first responders with equipment and programs,” Gowan explained.

Money for the state death benefit fund will be collected by adding a new $20 fee that would be imposed on any criminal conviction. Therein lies most of the arguments against this ballot measure.

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