AZ Legislative Update 05-27-2022
It was a short but dramatic week at the Arizona Capitol. House and Senate floor sessions were dominated by debates about the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and gun control bills that never made it to a committee for consideration this legislative session. As Republicans and Democrats sharply disagreed about the causes of gun violence and the best approach to curbing it, Governor Ducey hinted that he might try to renew the discussion on his proposal to block gun ownership from dangerous individuals – a measure that was blocked two years in a row by opposition from his own political party.
Republican leaders chose not to schedule votes on any of the bills to expand gun owner rights this week, instead focusing on other topics.
In the House, lawmakers voted to prohibit government entities from requiring a minor to get a COVID-19 vaccine without parental approval, criminalize interference with a crime scene, and ban the Secretary of State from suspending online signature collection. Republicans united to pass several controversial election bills that failed last week because two Republicans were absent.
The House devoted most of its Wednesday floor session to debates on a proposal prohibiting teachers and other school personnel from teaching certain perspectives on race, ethnicity, or sex, and implement penalties for doing so. Republicans overcame Democratic opposition and returned the bill to the Senate for a final vote.
In Senate floor sessions, legislators voted to legalize alkaline hydrolysis, create a property tax break for non-profit veterans’ associations, criminalize extortion through social media, and prohibit registering someone to vote without their request.
Not all election-related bills passed, however: Disagreements within the Republican caucus caused the Senate to fail bills regarding video monitoring of ballot drop boxes, county recorder approval for election-related civil action settlements, and limited use of emergency voting centers.
Both the House and Senate set aside floor debates and unanimously adopted a recognition of former legislator Bob McLendon’s life and public service.
What’s Next?
As legislators prepare for the session to roll into its fifth month, there’s renewed speculation about a government shutdown on July 1. Republican leaders continue to negotiate with the members of their own party, though, and some say they’re optimistic about getting a budget passed soon. There are many reasons it’s difficult to pass a budget this year, and the growing surplus of state revenues further complicates the process of aligning legislators’ fiscal priorities.
Both the House and Senate are adjourned until after the Memorial Day holiday and will return on Tuesday – the 142nd day of the legislative session. There are fewer than 150 bills that can advance apart from budget negotiations.
Arizona’s New Laws
Governor Ducey signed 24 new laws this week – including bills to ban school COVID-19 requirements and prohibit governments from implementing mask mandates. He has signed 253 bills this year and has not vetoed any.
In the Elections
The Arizona Attorney General won’t defend the state’s mail-in voting system as the Arizona Republican Party seeks to declare it unconstitutional. According to a nationwide analysis, Arizona had the most legislators who discredited the 2020 election. Governor Ducey wants to stop talking about 2020. There’s more detail on the national pressure Arizona lawmakers received about overturning the results of the 2020 election.
In the Courts
A court of appeals blocked an Arizona law that criminalizes some methods of paying people to collect signatures on citizen initiatives. A federal judge said the federal government cannot repeal Title 42 as planned. A legislator’s comments led a judge to allow a lawsuit challenging Arizona’s removal of some inactive voters from the early voting list. There’s a new judge overseeing litigation on Cyber Ninjas and public records.
In the News
The state has not met inspection standards for long-term care facilities. The U.S. Census showed that lots of people moved to Arizona. Some advocates want the legislature to do more to reduce Arizona’s traffic fatalities. The U.S. Surgeon General believes health care worker burnout should be a national priority. The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission wants to provide access to comprehensive criminal justice data. AHCCCS is preparing for changes when the federal government ends the COVID-19 emergency. Arizona has a teacher shortage.
On the Bright Side…
Grilled cheese can change a life.