Skip to main content

AZ Legislative Update 10-21-2022

AZ State Capitol Building image, From Wikimedia Commons

Early voting has begun in Arizona. Candidates are making promises, political parties are pouring money into legislative races, and campaign ads are targeting voters everywhere – including streaming services. The focus on the election has stalled calls for special legislative sessions on abortion and school spending, at least for now.

Crowded schedules and the November election have also slowed progress on most of the legislature’s study committees. The Housing Supply Study Committee, which has held meetings around the state this summer to discuss potential recommendations for regional housing challenges, has not held any hearings this month.

Legislative leaders have not yet appointed all the members to serve on other study committees the legislature created during the 2022 session. If formed, those committees will study hydrogen, tourism in southern Arizona, the use of off-highway vehicles, and a 250th birthday celebration for the United States.

An Ad Hoc Study Committee on Energy and a Study Committee on Alternative Behavioral Health Transportation have all the members appointed but have not yet scheduled any meetings.

Determined committee chairs have kept some of the study committee conversations moving forward despite legislators’ busy schedules, though. Representative Joanne Osborne’s (R-Goodyear) Teen Mental Health House Ad Hoc Committee continues to meet and provide recommendations, and the Driving Under the Influence Data Collection Study Committee convened for a presentation from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. Representative Jennifer Jermaine (D-Chandler) hosted a meeting of the House Ad Hoc on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples in northern Arizona; another hearing is scheduled next week.

The legislature is likely to schedule many more study committee meetings after the election, as lawmakers rush to wrap up their work before leaving office or beginning a new legislative term in January.

 

In the News

AHCCCS earned recognition for its transformative projects and received a federal waiver to continue those innovations. Former legislator Sylvia Laughter passed away.

 

On the Bright Side…

These dogs are saving the orchids.

Posted:  21 October, 2022
Author: Susie Cannata
Read more from Susie Cannata

© 2023 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). All rights reserved.