The last 2 weeks of March is a critical control point of any legislative session. That’s because the deadline to hear bills in committee in the alternate chamber is the end of March (this year it’s March 25). If bills that passed through the chamber of origin aren’t heard in the other chamber by March 25, they’re generally dead (although there are some escape hatches).
There are several bills that we’re supporting that didn’t get on a committee agenda this week. Those bills will need to be on an agenda next week if they’re going to have a chance. For examples, see the several bills under the ‘social determinants’ category below and the bill that would change the governance model at the Arizona State Hospital (SB1716).
Likewise, there are several bad bills that have not yet made it on a committee agenda yet… and some of those bad bills may die on the vine if they aren’t heard next week.
Below is a summary list of the bills that we’re supporting and opposing. Notes in green indicate good bills that are being heard in a committee this week. Red denotes bad bills that are being heard this week. Yellow indicates that a good bill might be in trouble.
Here’s the spreadsheet tracker prepared by our cohort of interns from the UA College of Public Health (Priscila Ruedas, Danielle Brooke King, and Garret Tomlin). A detail summary of the bills is at the tail end of this email.
Bill Overview: Select Bills Progressing that AzPHA is Supporting
Maternal/Child Health
SB1272 AHCCCS; postpartum care; eligibility; Passed Senate 26-2; Passed House Health 8-1; House Appropriations this Wednesday
Access to Care
HB2144 health insurance coverage; biomarker testing Passed House 59-0; Senate Finance Hearing Wednesday
Special Needs
HB2157 supplemental appropriations; community-based services SIGNED
HB2113 developmental disabilities; Down syndrome Passed House 59-0; Senate Health Committee Wednesday
HB2382 appropriations, health programs, disabilities Passed House 48-11; Not assigned in Senate
HB2111 appropriation; healthy families program – Passed house 40-17; No Action in Senate Yet
Social Determinants
HB2060 supplemental nutrition assistance program; Passed House 44-15; No Action in Senate Yet
HB2484 forcible entry; detainer; filing fee Passed House 59-0; No Action in Senate Yet
HB2485 eviction dismissal; sealed records Passed House 50-8; No Action in Senate Yet
HB2033 juvenile offenders; monetary sanctions; repeal Passed House 58-1; No Action in Senate Yet
Tobacco
HB2125 electronic smoking devices; retail licensing – failed but on reconsideration for vote in 2 weeks
Environmental
SB1152– zero emission vehicles; plans Passed Senate 16-13. Assigned to House NERW
SB1154 transportation electrification study committee Passed Senate 16-13. Transmitted to House, no action yet
HB2226 fireworks use, limitations, prohibition Passed House 42-17. Passed Senate COM; Held in R Caucus
HB2255 fireworks use, limitations, prohibition Passed House. Senate Appropriations Tuesday at 2pm
State Hospital/Behavioral Health
SB1716 state hospital; governing board; governance Passed Senate 27-0; No Action in House Health Yet
SB1444 state hospital; administration; oversight Passed Senate; House Health this Week
SB1641 – health care institutions; civil penalties Passed Senate 28-0. Held in House Health
SB1162 opioid prescriptions; intractable pain; exceptions Passed Senate 27-0. No Action in House Health Yet
SB1210 mentally ill; transportation; evaluation; treatment; Senate 3rd read Needed
Bill Overview: Select Bills Progressing that AzPHA Is Opposing
Vaccines/Disease Control
HB2086 ADHS; school immunizations; exclusions Passed House 31-28; Assigned to HHS
SB1298 government mask mandate; prohibition Passed Senate 16-12;
SB1009 state of emergency; executive powers Passed Senate 16-13; Passed House GE Committee
HB2453 mask requirement; prohibition Passed House 31-28. Passed Senate G Committee 6-4
HB2043 employer liability; COVID-19 vaccine requirement Passed House. Passed Senate Judiciary 6-4.
HB2616 mask mandates; minors; parental consent Passed House 31-28. Senate Government Committee Monday at 2pm
HB2161 parental rights; schools; educational records Passed House 31-28. Senate Education.
HB2498COVID-19; vaccination requirements; prohibition. Passed House. Senate Government Committee Monday at 2pm
Tobacco
HB2145 electronic smoking devices; retail licensing – failed but on reconsideration for vote in 2 weeks
Social Determinants
HB2021 Drug Offenses, homicide, sentencing House Judiciary 10-0. Looks dead.
SB1164– abortion; gestational age; limit Passed Senate 16-13; Held in House ED
SB1123 disruption; educational institution; concealed weapon Looks dead
HB2811 unlawful abortion medication; offense Failed House 28-31
Government
HB2787 Maricopa county; new counties Passed House Government & Elections Committee 7-6. Looks Dead
SB1175– noncustodial federal monies; appropriation Passed Senate 16-13; Passed House Approps.
