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AFCCA Updates
HB2184 (fetal death; funeral homes) sponsored by Representative Julie Willoughby (R – Chandler) now extends the timeline for completing and registering death certificates from seven calendar days to 14 days, excluding weekends and holidays. Additionally, it mandates that funeral establishments obtain a disposition-transit permit for the transfer of unborn human remains from a hospital or clinic when specific gestational or weight criteria are met and the woman authorizes the transfer. Lastly, the order of authority for the remains of a deceased minor is modified to defer to any existing legal decision-making awards or parenting plans that assign final authority. This bill has yet to be third read in the Senate.
Last week, SB1668 (disposition; remains; authorization; legal decision making) was heard in the House Health and Human Services committee where it was amended with a Strike Everything Amendment that replaces its text with legislation that would clarify in statute who has decision making authority over a decedent minor in very specific instances. Following the unanimous vote of the committee last week, the bill moved through caucus this week and now awaits a vote on the House floor.
You can track the status of these bills on your live interactive tracking link found here –Skywolf AI– this link will automatically update as the bills move through the process. As always please do not hesitate to let me know if you would like to make any additions or removals from your bill tracking list.
Arizona Legislative Session Weekly Report – Week Twelve
You can find your live interactive tracking link here –Skywolf AI– this link will automatically update as the bills move through the process.
In this newsletter, we highlight the conclusion of regular legislative committees and the resulting shift toward floor action and stalled budget negotiations. We also provide a comprehensive breakdown of the 2026 candidate filings, including high-profile executive races, legislative chamber shifts, and the emerging legal challenges to the ballot.
This week was the final Appropriations committees until budget bills are introduced. TheHouse and Senate Appropriations committees heard over 20 strike-everything amendments combined this week, and as expected, floor action was limited as the legislature slows down for budget negotiations to take place.Floor debates included the federal school voucher program and statewide ESA funding. As attention shifts towards the budget, education spending, including the potential renewal of Prop. 123, remain key issues at the State Capitol.
On Wednesday, Governor Katie Hobbs signed HB 2072 (Cesar Chavez Day; Repeal), a bipartisan bill that is effective immediately. The bill repeals Cesar Chavez day, celebrated in Arizona on March 31 every year, following allegations of misconduct. Governor Hobbs released a statement following the signing of HB2072.
The legislature will not reconvene until Tuesday April 7, as extended recesses become typical this time of year. House and Senate Leadership will also hold back on advancing a significant number of bills in order to preserve leverage during budget negotiations.
Budget Outlook
Budget negotiations have yet to resume between the executive and legislative leadership after the Governor walked away from the negotiating table last week, and passing a budget by the July 1 deadline is the Arizona Legislature’s only statutory duty. Both caucuses internally do seem to be focusing on some sort of budget development. However, contentious negotiations over key policy issues, both within each caucus and across party lines, keep the timeline for reaching a final budget agreement, and what that will ultimately look like, highly uncertain.
Additionally, since a tax conformity agreement has not yet been reached, the likelihood that one-third of taxpayers may need to refile their state returns due to a mismatch between state forms and enacted law, grows everyday.
2026 Election Cycle: Final Candidate Filings
Monday, March 23rd was the official deadline to submit candidate nomination petitions, finalizing who will run for office in Arizona’s 2026 primary and general elections. To run for elected office in Arizona, a candidate must collect signatures from voters on a nomination petition. More than 260 people have filed to run, with 230 of those running for one of our state’s 90 seats at the State Legislature. Read more here for a comprehensive breakdown of who is running for what elected position in Arizona in 2026, and here’s a breakdown of who wants to represent you locally in metro Phoenix.
Statewide Offices
- Governor: Incumbent Governor Katie Hobbs is seeking re-election for her second term and is the only Democratic candidate that has filed to run.. Republican primary candidates include; Congressman Andy Biggs, Congressman David Schweikert, Scott Neely, and Ken Miceli. Risa Lombardo is running as a Green Party candidate. Teri Hourihan and Hugh Lytle are running as the new “Arizona Independent” party candidates. Notably, last week Maricopa County Judge Gregory Como threw out the name change of the new “Arizona Independent Party,” ruling that Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes did not have the authority to approve the name change last October. The party’s name will revert back to the “No Labels Party,” a recognized party that was created before the 2024 election.
- Secretary of State: Democratic incumbent Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has also filed for re-election. The Republican candidates are former Arizona State GOP Chair Gina Swoboda, and State Representative Alexander Kolodin. Duwayne Collier is running as a Green Party candidate.
- Attorney General: Democratic incumbent Kris Mayes has filed for re-election for a second term. Republican candidates include Rodney Glassman, and Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen.
State Legislative Offices
- Chamber Switches: In Legislative District 19, Senator David Gown (R) has filed for a House seat. Representative Gail Griffin (R) has filed to run in the Senate. In Legislative District 12, Senator Mitzi Epstein (D) is retiring, and Representative Patty Contreras (D) has filed to run for the seat in the Senate. Representative Leo Biasiucci (R) in Legislative District 30 has also filed to run for the Senate.
- Open Seats: In Legislative Districts 3, 13, and 30, there are no incumbents running for either of the House seats. In Legislative Districts 5, 14, and 17, there are no incumbents running for the Senate seat. In Legislative Districts 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, and 30, a member is switching chambers, leaving their previously held seat vacant for a newcomer to take.
Federal Offices
With U.S. Congressmen David Schweikert and Andy Biggs both running for Governor, their seats in Congressional Districts 1 and 5 are up for grabs.
- CD 1 Primary: Candidates for the Republican primary include former State Representative Joseph Chaplik, and Jay Feely. The Democratic primary includes former State Representative Dr. Amish Shah and Marlene Galan-Woods. This district is considered to be highly competitive and a current toss up.
- CD5 Primary: Republican candidates include Daniel Keenan and Sheriff Mark Lamb. This district is safely Republican so the primary winner will most likely take the seat in the general election.
Legal Challenges
Per Arizona Statute, any legal challenges to the validity of nominating signatures must be filed and resolved promptly. There is a 10 day period to file challenges, with the deadline being April 6, 2026. One challenge has already been filed against Representative Walt Blackman (R, LD7) by Steve Slaton.
Key Election Dates / Dealines:
- Candidate Filling Period: February 21 – March 23, 2026
- Voter Registration Deadline: June 22, 2026
- Early Voting Begins/Ballots Mailed: June 24, 2026
- Primary Election: July 21, 2026
- Voter Registration Deadline: October 5, 2026
- General Election Early Voting Begins/Ballots Mailed: October 7, 2026
- Election Day: November 3, 2026
By the Numbers:
Days of Session: 82
Bills Introduced: 1966
Bills Passed: 25
Bills Signed: 9
Bills Vetoed: 16
Key Dates:
Opening Day: January 12th, 2026
Senate Bill Introduction Deadline: February 2nd, 2026
House Bill Introduction Deadline: February 9th, 2026
Last week to hear bills in committee in chamber of origin: February 16th to February 20th
Final week of committees: March 23rd to March 27th
100th day of session: April 21st, 2026