AZ Legislative Update 05-26-2023

It was an eventful week at the Capitol, as Governor Hobbs’ Chief of Staff resigned and legislators returned for several hearings that sparked political debate and controversy. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for two of Governor Hobbs’ nominees but only allowed one to advance, and the House Ethics Committee began its consideration of a complaint against Representative Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton (D-Tucson) for hiding Bibles in the House members’ lounge.

Republican leaders of the House and Senate Health & Human Services Committees convened a two-day forum of a new Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee, featuring presenters who are suspicious of vaccine safety and critical of the healthcare and governmental reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Republican lawmakers said the discussion was powerful and important; legislative Democrats called it misinformation and did not participate in the hearings.

The Senate processed paperwork to send the Governor several more bills that passed during the flurry of activity earlier this month – including new disclosures on election mail, limits on fireworks on Christmas, a requirement that early ballots be counted when a voter turns them in at a polling place, removal of most court-ordered fees for juveniles, and a ban on photo radar.

What’s Next?

The House and Senate are still adjourned for two more weeks, and there is little activity scheduled at the Capitol next week. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Director Nominations has said the Committee will interview more of Governor Hobbs’ nominees, but it has scheduled a hearing on just one nominee so far. Lawmakers’ meetings to negotiate on remaining bills about housing and transportation funding will continue behind closed doors.

In the News

Governor Hobbs ended an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) grant program established by former Governor Ducey. The Arizona Attorney General plans to look for fraud in ESAs; legislative Republicans object to her statements. The State Board of Education increased funding for school resource officers.

On the Bright Side…

Miss Grace believes in students.