Members of our EVP Advocacy & Government Relations Committee are receiving weekly updates from our government public relations firm Triadovcates. The following information will provide a snapshot of Legislative Bills and discussions as of April 17, 2017:

The House and Senate have entered “the waiting place” as both Chambers continue to work on bills while waiting for progress on budget negotiations.  So-called “money bills”, with a budget impact, are being held back because of the potential budget impact. 

Highlights for the week ahead include: Once again, there are no hearings scheduled.  Each day, the House and Senate will post floor calendars (Committee of the Whole and Third Read) to advance actions on bills that remain active; or to hijack old bills with new language (aka “Strikers”). 

House 3rd Read Calendar – 4/17

                SB 1025 Public Entities; Absolute Immunities, Defenses

                SB 1042 Teacher Certification Reciprocity*

House COW – 4/17

                SB 1178 K-12, education; reports

                SB 1122 Personal Property Transfer; Limitations Prohibited

*EVP Legislative Priority


The Week in Review: 

Education:  Still feeling the feedback of the ESA expansion bill, the Governor got praise from national education leaders (Secretary Devos, former Governor Bush) and criticism from some in the traditional district community.  The biggest challenge was the rapid response reaction of the Goldwater Institute which said it would seek to lift the caps on use of ESA’s, the very caps that had been very carefully negotiated as a compromise.   

SB 1042 Teacher Certification; Reciprocity is a broad based bill addressing many aspects of teacher certification, with the intent that alternative pathways of qualified individuals could be helpful to promote a better supply of teachers.  The bill has attracted a number of amendments, and it has the affect of reversing work by the State Board of Education which came up with alternative rules, but not alternative enough. 

There were no new announced developments on efforts by the Governor to support funding for University bonding.  Those matters are incorporated in the broader budget discussions. 

Economic Development:  The Angel Investment Tax Credit* (HB 2191) has not progressed, as it is deemed a money bill.

HB 2152*, Arizona Emissions Bank, has cleared the Senate and has been recommended for concurrent, thereby requiring only a Final Vote in the House. 

Transportation:  No report

Other:  The two bills creating additional burdens on Initiatives took up most of the time and heat of floor session last week  SB 1236 Statewide petition circulators; registration; committees, would require paid circulators to register with the Secretary of State and defines various requirements; requires that any ads, solicitations or publicity pamphlet information notify voters that the measure being considered cannot be changed, if passed, except by a ¾ vote of the Legislature.  This bill passed the House on partisan lines and awaits concurrence in the Senate.   HB 2244 would modify the current judicial standard of review for initiatives from “substantial compliance” to “strict compliance”, thereby conforming the standard of review with how the Courts review attempts to refer bills to the ballot for whole or partial approval or disapproval.  This bill was passed and sent to the Governor late last week, who promptly signed it. 


To review the status, summary or details of any of the bills listed in this report, go to WWW.AZLEG.GOV and enter the bill number ONLY in the search box at the top