AZ Legislative Update 04-28-2023
Lawmakers returned to the Capitol for an abbreviated work week, spending a total of seven hours in floor sessions before adjourning until next Wednesday. Much of that time was consumed by debates about Bibles and tamales.
Neither the House nor the Senate considered legislation this week that would allow AHCCCS to spend its funding for the rest of this fiscal year. Lawmakers granted temporary spending authority last month, but that timeline has run out. Most legislators agree funding for the current fiscal year is important, but it has become a negotiating tool in talks about next year’s budget.
It is unclear how long AHCCCS can pay its bills without legislative authority to spend money already appropriated to the state’s Medicaid programs; at some point in the coming weeks, the state will default on its payments to the health plans that provide care to AHCCCS members unless the legislature extends the agency’s ability to spend its funding.
Priority Bill Update
This week, the House unanimously approved HB 2456 (ASDB; continuation), agreeing to continue the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind four years. A bipartisan coalition committed to pursue a longer extension of the ASDB in the next legislative session. The bill is on the Governor’s desk.
The House also unanimously approved SB 1205 (foster children; education; best interest) and SB 1315 (emergency response; students with disabilities). The bills will reach the Governor’s desk once the Senate returns to work next week and officially transmits them to her.
What’s Next?
The number of bills eligible for floor debates and votes is diminishing, and the legislature is running out of things to do while they wait for a budget agreement. Negotiations continue between the Governor’s office and Republican legislative leaders, but there is no sign of an actual budget proposal and it’s unclear how much rank-and-file lawmakers – or even the Appropriations Committee leaders – are involved in the discussions. Several lawmakers are rumored to have vacation plans in May, which could further delay progress.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has begun the process to fill two empty seats vacated by former Representative Liz Harris (R-Chandler) and Senator Raquel Terán (D-Phoenix), but has not scheduled a vote to select two new lawmakers.
In the Courts
The Arizona Attorney General won’t defend the state’s law about gender in school sports. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Biden administration can require states and their contractors to mandate COVID-19 vaccines; legislative Republican leaders asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate an injunction against that policy.
In the News
The State Board of Education approved controversial changes to the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) program.
On the Bright Side…
Mary and Shelley have settled in.