AZ Legislative Update 06-27-2022
The 2022 legislative session ended in the early hours of Saturday morning, 166 days after it began. The last week of the session was marked by dramatic swings between cooperation and division, long hours of waiting mixed with flurries of voting and debate. It ended in a cloud of tear gas that drove protesters from Capitol grounds after legislative buildings were locked down and legislative staff moved to the basement.
Last week, legislators sent almost 90 bills to the Governor’s desk – including a budget package that earned strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. After months of closed-door negotiations within the Republican caucus, it became clear that there was no way to bridge the disagreements over how the state should allocate its budget surplus. The negotiations expanded to include Democrats, and the final budget proposal passed with broad support in both the House and Senate.
The agreement required compromises on both sides. Republicans agreed to Democrats’ request for additional funding for K-12 and higher education, and Democrats accepted Republicans’ funding for border enforcement activities. Republicans surrendered an increased tax credit for scholarships to private schools, and Democrats supported a statewide property tax cut of more than $300 million a year because state funds will offset the impact on education programs.
The final budget included $526 million for schools’ ongoing funding, $100 million for special education programs, $50 million for schools with more students from low-income households, $60 million for additional assistance funding to school districts and charter schools, and more resources for school buildings.
It added coverage of diabetes management treatment for AHCCCS patients, increased payment for behavioral health providers who serve AHCCCS patients, and provided $2 million for community treatment for imprisoned women.
Lawmakers from both parties celebrated the budget’s big investments in transportation projects, state employee pay raises, funding for the state’s savings account, and payments toward state debt and pension liabilities. Governor Ducey supports the budget bills, as well, and is expected to sign them soon. (Click here for details on the $18 billion budget package.)
The legislature also gave bipartisan support to bills that allow voters to track their early ballots, allow local governments to add some regulations for short-term rentals, and invest in the state’s health care workforce. With a near-unanimous vote, legislators passed a proposal that puts $1 billion into water resources and infrastructure. The proposal is the result of Governor Ducey’s call for a new water oversight entity; through months of closed-door negotiations, it evolved into a plan that expands the authority and responsibilities of the existing Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA).
Not everything united legislators, though. Some votes were sharply divided along party lines – including bills to expand the Empowerment Scholarship Account program to all Arizona students, require election officials to cancel some voter registrations, prohibit close-range videos of law enforcement, and direct $335 million toward a border wall.
Legislators failed to pass a school improvement program and altered treated process water laws, and did not hold a final votes on a bill to add limits to how schools teach about race and ethnicity.
This session was tied for the fifth-longest in Arizona history.
What’s Next?
The session has ended, but legislators will not have a quiet summer. Most are campaigning for another term in the legislature or another elected position. Even those who are retiring will be back at the Capitol for study committee hearings and constituent work. Interim committees will evaluate policies on teen mental health, housing, DUIs, and off-highway vehicles, and will continue to investigate the Department of Health Services’ oversight of long-term care facilities.
Arizona’s New Laws
Governor Ducey has signed 305 new laws so far this year. Most bills will become effective on September 24, 2022.
In the Courts
Like the constituents they serve, legislators have differing views on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade. There is disagreement about Arizona abortion laws after the Court’s decisions. The Attorney General appealed the Yavapai County Superior Court’s decision that it’s too late to rewrite the Election Procedures Manual.
In the News
Speaker Bowers went to Washington. Some Arizona tribes are receiving federal funds for affordable housing. Hospitals support a new law on in-person visitation. Senate investigation into Senator Wendy Rogers’ tweet is complete. ADOT wants your clever slogans.
On the Bright Side…