AZ Legislative Update 05-20-2022

A week at the Arizona Capitol that began with a bipartisan rock-paper-scissors tournament ended with sharp disagreements and a new ethics investigation.

After weeks of slow progress, the House and Senate returned to an accelerated consideration of bills. The burst of activity was not inspired by a potential end of the legislative session, as hoped, but by the fact that there will be Republican absences in the coming weeks. Lawmakers wanted to pass bills before their colleagues’ vacation plans removed the votes needed to pass controversial measures.

The House voted to ban home insurers from considering a dog’s breed in their coverage decisions and proved that not all changes to election laws are controversial. Several more controversial changes to elections failed to pass because two Republicans left the Capitol, protesting because their favorite election proposals did not make it through the legislative process. They accused House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R-Mesa) of sending law enforcement to try to bring them back to help pass the bills, but the Speaker said that was a lie. The House may hold another vote on the proposals later this session.

The Senate voted on almost 40 bills, approving proposals to limit COVID-19 mitigation mandates, create a memorial for the Daughters of the American Revolution, require schools to teach about September 11, grant limited driving privileges to someone whose license is suspended because of a DUI, and ban same-day voter registration.

Senators failed to pass bills that would add disclosure requirements for non-governmental entities that send election-related materials to voters and alter the timeline for investigations into law enforcement officers, and voted down resolutions supporting multiple-use forest management and opposing a federal plan for land and water conservation.

It was not a bill that caused the most debate this week, however, but the social media posts of Senator Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff). The Senator’s comments about the shooting in Buffalo last weekend drew national attention and led Senate Democrats to seek her expulsion from the legislature. Republican senators voted against expulsion, instead seeking an ethics investigation into the controversial comments. There was near-unanimous support for the investigation: Just three senators, including Senator Rogers, voted against the motion.

What’s Next?

Legislators adjourned early for the week; the Senate will return Monday, and the House will convene on Tuesday. Republican leaders say they are still optimistic about their progress toward a budget deal, but they still do not have the votes to introduce and enact a budget plan. They will continue to meet with members of the Republican caucus to seek support, but this week’s public disagreements between Republicans make it even more likely that the budget will have to earn bipartisan support to advance.

Apart from the budget, there is not much work left to do. There are approximately 250 bills still eligible for consideration this year, but almost 100 of those are related to the state budget and will not advance separately from that discussion. The House and Senate will continue to face attendance challenges as lawmakers leave for vacations and other commitments away from the Capitol.

Arizona’s New Laws

Governor Ducey has signed 229 bills into law and has not vetoed any. Most new laws go into effect 90 days after the legislative session ends.

In the Elections

A citizens’ initiative seeks to put abortion rights on the Arizona ballot. Nationwide, there are a lot more Republicans running against each other for state legislative seats. Registered Independent voters may vote in the Primary Election if they select a partisan ballot.

In the Courts

The Arizona Republican Party asked the Mohave County Superior Court to rule that Arizona’s mail-in ballot system is unconstitutional. (The Arizona Supreme Court turned down an opportunity to consider the question last month.) The federal government wants a court to bar Arizona’s Attorney General from challenging a minimum wage increase for federal contractors.

In the News

Arizona’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since 1976. The state is implementing new verification procedures after an audit showed some Native children were wrongly removed from the children’s health insurance program. Far-right groups are strengthening their connections inside state legislatures. Cochise County voters will decide whether to enact new local water management policies.

On the Bright Side…

Students invented an important solution.