We’re in the late third quarter of the session, and the Legislature has hit one of the few deadlines it actually respects.
The informal “100-day session” target is almost never met – especially during divided government like we have now.
But, as usual, the legislature did meet their deadline for committees to stop their work hearing bills from the opposite chamber, which was last week. Most standing committees are done for the year except for appropriations, rules and maybe the director nominations committee.
From here, the action shifts to Committee of the Whole (COW): where floor amendments happen and 3rd Read, final floor votes. Expect a steady stream of COW and 3rd read over the next couple of weeks.
This is also when budget negotiations are starting informally. If history holds:
- Informal talks break down
- The Governor starts vetoing bills
- Leadership is forced into real negotiations behind closed doors
And there’s an added complication: whether (and how) to align Arizona tax law with the federal tax changes (giveaways) in HR1.
My guess is that the budget gets done sometime in May driven in part by election-year pressure as a number of legislators want to get back to campaigning – especially those who have a primary opponent.
Our top priority in the budget is making sure AHCCCS and Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) get what they need to implement HR1. If they don’t we’re looking at hundreds of thousands of Arizonans losing coverage and benefits not because they’re ineligible but because the state won’t have the staff or systems to process the new red tape created by HR1.
Now for the nitty gritty on the actual bills: Here goes:
Good Bills We Support — Still Alive
- HB2051 (AHCCCS; breastfeeding & lactation coverage)
Expands coverage for lactation services (inpatient and outpatient). Addresses real reimbursement gaps.
Status: Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2176 (ADHS licensing reform)
Prevents license “swapping” and improves complaint processes and dispute resolution.
Status: Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2177 (AHCCCS; American Indian services)
Restores waiver authority for services to tribal members that was cut by AHCCCS in 2010.
Status: Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2195 (nursing facility oversight)
Tightens timelines and strengthens ADHS oversight aligned with CMS standards.
Status: Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2224 (produce incentive program)
$2M/year proposal to support healthier food access through ADES.
Status: Awaiting Senate Floor Vote & needs to be in the budget - HB2673 (mental health screening in jails)
Requires screening, assessment, and treatment when needed.
Status: Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2923 (court-ordered treatment improvements)
Clarifies judicial standards and improves consistency.
Status: Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - SB1165 (breast exam cost sharing)
Eliminates cost barriers for critical screening.
Status: Awaiting House Floor Vote - SB1372 (Medicaid dental study committee)
Step toward expanding dental coverage in AHCCCS.
Status: Awaiting House Floor Vote - SB1813 (state hospital bed access)
Moves toward need-based admissions instead of geographic limits.
Status: Awaiting House Floor Vote
Good Bills We Supported — Now Dead
- HB2064 (pedestrian safety)
Would have strengthened protections for vulnerable road users. - HB2542 (preventive dental in AHCCCS)
Would have allowed preventive care instead of just emergency dental. - HB2194 (prior authorization transparency)
Would have required insurers to clearly explain how to appeal denials. - SB1169 (graduate medical education funding)
$18M for residency slots—critical workforce investment. - SB1082 (petting zoo hygiene standards)
Basic public health measure that didn’t make it.
Bad Bills We Oppose — Still Alive
- HCR2056 (“medical mandates; right to refuse”)
This is the big one. Would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit vaccine or treatment requirements in almost any setting—schools, workplaces, public access.- It’s already through Senate committee. If Senate President Petersen brings it to the floor, it likely passes on a party-line vote. He may hold it back given the number of ballot referrals—but if leadership thinks it drives turnout, it will move. If this hits the ballot, we will need an opposition strategy.
- HB2086 (vaccination mandates prohibition)
Blocks basic public health protections across businesses and government.
Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2248 (medical interventions prohibition)
Broad, sweeping anti-vaccine bill that micromanages private decision-making—even in healthcare settings.
Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2060 (university abortion restrictions)
Prohibits university health centers from even discussing abortion care.
Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2364 (abortion-inducing drugs; felony penalties)
Criminalizes mailing abortion medications.
Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - HB2448 (SNAP work requirement waivers)
Limits the state’s ability to respond to economic conditions and protect food access.
Awaiting Senate Floor Vote - SB1212 (vaccine reimbursement restrictions)
Undermines insurer incentives that support vaccination uptake.
Awaiting House Floor Vote - SB1368 (SNAP purchase restrictions)
Pushes a waiver to restrict allowable foods—adds administrative burden without clear benefit.
Bad Bills That Are (Thankfully) Dead or Vetoed
- HB2007 (OTC ivermectin)
- HB2797 (SNAP red tape expansion)
- SB1019 (fluoride prohibition)
- SB1194 (limits on clinical discretion re: unvaccinated patients)
- SB1051 (hospital immigration reporting) – Vetoed
- HB2206 (SNAP error rate mandate) – Vetoed
- SB1070 (“Trump Derangement Syndrome” study)
See our AZPHA Bill Tracking Spreadsheet 2026 – Google Sheets
