AZ Legislative Update 02-24-2023

This was the seventh week of the 2023 legislative session, unofficially dubbed “Crossover Week” because it’s the point in the session when lawmakers focus on advancing proposals across the Capitol mall and into the second half of the legislative process. Legislators spent hours in floor sessions, debating and voting on more than 200 bills.

Some of the proposals passed with broad bipartisan support. House members agreed to e create a memorial for Don Bolles, block text message sales to numbers on the do-not-call list, and require businesses to accept cash.

Senators agreed to ban fireworks on Christmas, prevent most fees on blockchain technology, create a Phoenix Rising license plate, and require HOAs to allow the Betsy Ross flag.

Many other bills were more divisive and passed on or close to political party lines. The House voted to require students to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day, bar local governments from requiring hotels to accept housing vouchers, limit school immunization requirements, and prohibit a Secretary of State from being involved in an election when they are running for office.

The Senate advanced proposals to require the Attorney General to defend everything the legislature enacts, increase the Department of Water Resources’ role in water decisions, tighten penalties for harassing someone by picketing their home, criminalize sleeping in a right-of-way, allow gun silencers, accelerate a small business income tax cut, and ask voters to automatically reduce income taxes and make it harder to enact constitutional amendments.

The House and Senate cooperated to fast-track a controversial bill that limits how schools teach about race and ethnicity, voting on party lines to send the bill to the Governor’s desk.

What’s Next?

As the session continues, the tension is growing more pronounced. Frustration bubbles up in floor debates and social media accusations, enhanced by the tight timelines and long hours of work at the Capitol. There’s no sign of cooperation between the Governor’s office and Republican legislative leaders. There’s still disagreement within Republican and Democratic caucuses, as well, as lawmakers navigate votes on divisive topics.

There is much more work to be done, though, and legislators will have to find agreement with each      other – and with the Governor – to enact a state budget and other policy changes before the session ends.

Both the House and Senate will have more catch-up to do next week. Committee hearings are canceled so lawmakers can spend more time in floor votes and prepare for lengthy committee meetings in the weeks ahead.

Priority Bills

This week, the House:

• Unanimously approved HB 2455 (developmental disabilities; Prader-Willi syndrome)
• Unanimously approved HB 2456 (ASDB; continuation)
• Voted 41-19 in favor of HB 2460 (suspension; requirements; K-4 students)

The Senate:

• Voted 16-13 in favor of SB 1044 (student discipline; nonattendance; suspension; requirements)
• Voted 25-4 in favor of SB 1272 (CTEs; in-demand programs; funding)
• Voted 19-10 in favor of SB 1417 (students with disabilities; diaper changes)

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 8-2 in favor of SB 1717 (dual enrollment; revisions; appropriations), with an amendment that requires a child with a disability to have access to any supplementary aids, services and accommodations provided in an IEP while enrolled in a dual enrollment course.

In the News

The legislature is focusing on schools in its proposed changes to gun laws this year. The Department of Education opened a Character Education matching grant program. 

On the Bright Side…

Friendships can be found.