We’re basically at halftime of the 2026 legislative session.
By the end of next week, bills must have been heard in their committees of origin to stay viable. They don’t all need a final floor vote yet—but the clock is ticking. Expect long third-read sessions, especially in the Senate (the House already did its 4 a.m. marathon last week).
Only two bills are up in committee next week: HB2178 and SB1247 — and we support both.
Many bad bills have died quietly. Some good ones too. Plenty remain. And remember: the most important bills — the budget — don’t even exist yet.
Our top priority in the budget will be ensuring AHCCCS and ADES have the funding to implement HR1 by January 1, 2027. If we don’t prepare, hundreds of thousands could lose Medicaid and SNAP coverage. We also absolutely need to keep HCR2056 off the ballot.
View our updated AZPHA Bill Tracking Spreadsheet
Here’s where things stand.
Public Health Authority & Vaccination Policy
We Oppose
- HCR2056 – Awaiting House Floor Vote
Would amend the AZ Constitution to prohibit any entity (including schools) from requiring vaccines or treatments as a condition of employment, education, public access, or benefits. Also strips outbreak control authority. Extremely dangerous. - HB2248 – Passed Full House
Anti-vaccine bill prohibiting businesses and private entities (including medical facilities) from setting vaccine requirements. Likely vetoed if it reaches the Governor. - HB2086 – Passed Full House
Prohibits governments and businesses from requiring masks or proof of vaccination (hospital carve-out unclear). - SB1194 – Awaiting Senate Floor Vote
Prevents clinicians from declining electively unvaccinated patients. - SB1212 – Awaiting Senate Floor Vote
Prohibits vaccine incentive reimbursement structures. - SB1011 – Awaiting Senate Floor Vote
Requires medical examiners to record vaccination status on death certificates.
Healthcare System & Licensing Reform
We Support
- HB2176 – Passed Full House
ADHS licensing reform. Stops “license swapping,” improves complaint transparency, structured dispute resolution. - HB2195 – Passed Full House
Skilled nursing reform. Timelines, access to personnel records, CMS-aligned investigations. - HB2178 – Passed Full House; Senate Health next week
Requires state chief medical officers to hold an active AZ MD/DO license. - SB1247 – Passed Full Senate; House Health next week
Allows a non-service recipient to live with someone in assisted living (with consent). - SB1112 – Passed Full Senate
Allows acquaintance witnesses in court-ordered mental health hearings. - SB1113 – Passed Full Senate
Allows evaluation agencies to serve documents if court-authorized. - SB1169 – Awaiting Senate Floor Vote
$18M appropriation authority for graduate medical education slots. - SB1564 – Awaiting Senate Floor Vote
Requires long-term care facilities to disclose video monitoring policies. - SB1813 – Passed Full Senate
State hospital admissions based on clinical need—not geography. Removes Maricopa cap.
AHCCCS & Medicaid Policy
We Support
- HB2051 – Passed Full House
Expands AHCCCS breastfeeding and lactation coverage. - HB2177 – Passed Full House
Restores tribal waiver services discontinued in 2010. - SB1372 – Awaiting Senate Floor Vote
Forms committee to study comprehensive Medicaid dental benefit.
We Oppose
- HB2448 – Passed Full House
Limits ADES ability to seek work requirement waivers. - HB2797 – Awaiting House Floor Vote
Adds burdensome verification requirements for SNAP/TANF. - SB1236 – Awaiting Senate Floor Vote
Adds bureaucratic eligibility checks for AHCCCS. - SB1368 – Passed Full Senate
Restricts SNAP purchases to narrow statutory list (pending USDA waiver).
Oral Health
We Support
- HB2542 – Dead
Would have allowed preventive dental care under AHCCCS emergency benefit. - HB2958 – Dead
Would have provided dental coverage for pregnant AHCCCS members.
Behavioral Health & Serious Mental Illness
We Support
- HB2673 – Awaiting House Floor Vote
Requires mental health screening, assessment, and treatment in county jails. - HB2923 – Awaiting House Floor Vote
Improves judicial review standards for court-ordered treatment. - SB1112 / SB1113 / SB1813 – See above (all positive SMI reforms).
Reproductive & Gender-Related Bills
We Oppose
- HB2060 – Passed Full House
Prohibits university health centers from mentioning abortion care. - HB2085 – Passed Full House
Prohibits gender-affirming procedures for minors, including hormones. - HB2364 – Passed Full House
Makes mailing abortion-inducing drugs a Class 4 felony.
Long-Term Care & Elder Protection
We Support
- HB2228 – Passed Full House
Improves accountability in elder abuse reporting to the AG. - SB1247 – See above (assisted living flexibility).
Bills That Have Died (Not Exhaustive)
A number of problematic bills are gone, including ivermectin OTC (HB2007), fluoride prohibition (SB1019), religious exemption expansion (SB1016), and “Trump Derangement Syndrome” research (SB1070).
Some good ones also died — sun safety plates, jail clozapine fixes, preventive dental expansion — but we’ll regroup.
Bottom Line at Halftime
The most dangerous live bill is HCR2056. If it passes both chambers, it goes straight to the ballot. The Governor cannot veto it. That’s the one to watch. HB2248 is bad, but vetoable.
Meanwhile, the biggest fight is still ahead: the budget. If AHCCCS and ADES don’t get the operational funding to implement HR1’s work requirements and redeterminations, Arizona families will pay the price.