Last week was “crossover week,” where the legislature holds very few Committee hearings and attempts to move as many bills as possible through the full chamber. At this point, any measures that haven’t received a hearing in committee in their chamber of origin can’t move forward unless the chamber suspends their own rules.
It is important to remember that no idea or bill is truly “dead” until sine die, as it can always be revived if the rules are waived. The House and Senate each heard over 200 bills in caucus this week and spent significant hours on the floor moving bills through the legislative process.
Here’s a synopsis of last week’s action.
Let’s start with the good stuff:
HB2144 health insurance coverage; biomarker testing Passed House 59-0
HB2060 supplemental nutrition assistance program; Passed House 44-15
HB2484 forcible entry; detainer; filing fee Passed House 59-0
HB2485 eviction dismissal; sealed records Passed House 50-8
HB2113 developmental disabilities; Down syndrome Passed House 59-0
HB2382 appropriations, health programs, disabilities Passed House 48-11
HB2033 juvenile offenders; monetary sanctions; repeal Passed House 58-1
HB2811 unlawful abortion medication; offense Failed House 28-31
Now for the bad things:
HB2086 ADHS; school immunizations; exclusions Passed House 31-28
SB1298 government mask mandate; prohibition Passed Senate 16-12
HB2161 OPPOSED Passed house transmitted to Senate
Committee Hearings of Interest this Week
House Health Committee Monday 2pm
SB1272 AHCCCS; postpartum care; eligibility; appropriations SUPPORT
Allows AHCCCS to pursue eligibility for postpartum care for members for 1 year post-delivery up to 161% of federal poverty limit. Expanded eligibility currently ends at delivery. Still requires CMS approval. Update: Cleared House Health Committee 8-1 on 2/28
House Government and Elections Wednesday 9am
SB1009– state of emergency; executive powers OPPOSED
Passed Senate 16-13. Transmitted to House. Beginning on Ducey’s last day, caps the length of a Governor’s public health emergency declaration at 30 days but allows the Governor to extend the state of emergency for up to 120 days in 30-day increments. Terminates a state of emergency after 120 days, unless extended by the Legislature. Allows the Legislature to extend the state of emergency as many times as necessary in up to 30-day increments.
Senate Government Monday 2pm
HB2453 governmental entities; mask requirement; prohibition OPPOSED
Passed House 31-28. UPDATE: Passed Senate Government Committee 4-3. Prohibits the state or any political subdivision, including the judiciary, that receives or uses tax revenue (governmental entity) from imposing any requirement to wear a mask or face covering on the governmental entity’s premises, except where long-standing workplace safety and infection control measures that are unrelated to COVID-19 may be required.
Good Bills w Likely Floor Vote this Week
HB2125 electronic smoking devices; retail licensing
HB2111 appropriation; healthy families program Update: Passed House 40-17 on 2/28
SB1151 charging station; pilot program; appropriation
SB1210 mentally ill; transportation; evaluation; treatment Held in R Caucus
Bad Bills w Likely Floor Vote this Week
HB2043 employer liability; COVID-19 vaccine requirement
SB1567 vaccinations; prohibitions; evidence of immunity Held in R Caucus
HB2021 drug offenses, homicide, sentencing
SB1123 disruption; educational institution; concealed weapon
HB2787 Maricopa County; division; new counties
