This update is provided by Courtney Gilstrap LeVinus Capitol Consulting, LLC Courtney@azcapitolconsulting.com
Day 117 – Another very slow week at the Capitol. In fact, in what seems to be a trend lately, the Senate adjourned for the week on Wednesday after only calendaring nine bills. All of this is due to a budget impasse within the majority party. Because of this slowdown, both AZFCCA priority bills are in limbo like many other bills in the Senate. Making matters worse, several Senate Republicans have been absent, making it even more difficult to move bills. That being said, this is a normal occurrence at the Capitol whenever we are in the middle of budget (non)negotiations.
Specifically on our priority bills, HB2123 is still waiting to be assigned to Committee of the Whole and HB2024 is awaiting assignment in Senate Rules. Depending on how the budget negotiations proceed, it could be a few weeks before we see any real movement.
Among the progress made by lawmakers this week was a vote in the House to approve $400 million for widening the I-10 corridor between Phoenix and Tucson – a priority for lawmakers such as Sen. TJ Shope (LD-8) who have fought during multiple sessions to secure funding to expand the corridor. Combined with an additional $300 million available to Arizona in the Invest in Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress last fall would mean that Arizona could finally have the full funding necessary to widen the bottleneck which has slowed the transport of goods and residents between Arizona’s two largest cities.
To view the entire AFCCA Hot List of bills, click here.
HB2024: ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS; FACILITIES; OPERATORS; LICENSURE
Summary: The powers and duties of the State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers are expanded to include licensing and regulation of “alkaline hydrolysis facilities” and “alkaline hydrolysis operators” (both defined). Fees for an alkaline hydrolysis facility license or interim permit and for an alkaline hydrolysis operator license are in an amount to be determined by the Board. A person is prohibited from advertising or operating an alkaline hydrolysis facility without first obtaining an alkaline hydrolysis facility license issued by the board. Requirements for licensure for alkaline hydrolysis facilities and operators are specified. Licenses are nontransferable. Also, it is a class 2 (mid-level) misdemeanor for a person licensed by the Board to place human remains of one person, whether inside or outside of a container, in a location that is on top of human remains of another person.
AFCCA Position: No position
Status:
- Passed Senate Commerce Committee by a 6-1-2 vote on 3/23/2022
- Amended, then passed House floor by a 51-8-1 vote on 2/23/2022
- Approved by House Rules Committee on 2/21/2022
- Amended, then passed in House Health and Human Services Committee by a 9-0 vote on 1/31/2022
- Introduced on 1/12/2022
HB2123: ADULT WORKFORCE DIPLOMA PROGRAM
Summary: Establishes the Adult Workforce Diploma Program within the State Board of Education (SBE) to assist a person who is at least 21 years of age in earning a high school diploma and preparing for employment. By August 15 of each year, SBE is required to issue a request for qualifications for eligible program providers to participate in the Program. Establishes a list of requirements for program providers. By October 15 of each year, SBE is required to approve all qualified program providers, and approved providers must begin enrolling students by November 15 of each year. By July 1, 2024, SBE is required to adopt performance expectations to evaluate providers and a performance funding model. Establishes a payment model for FY2022-23. Appropriates $6 million from the general fund in each of FY2022-23 and FY2023-24 to the Program Fund.
AFCCA Position: No position
Status:
- Approved by Senate Rules Committee on 4/19/2022
- Amended, then passed in Senate Appropriations Committee on 4/4/2022
- Passed in Senate Education Committee on 3/8/2022
- Amended in COW, then passed House floor by a 44-15-1 vote on 2/23/2022
- Passed House Rules Committee on 2/22/2022
- Withdrawn from House Appropriations Committee on 2/14/2022
- Amended, then passed in House Education Committee on 2/9/2022
- Introduced on 1/24/2022
Legislative Spotlight
Day of Session: 117
Bills Posted: 1,780
Bills Passed: 226
Bills Vetoed: 0
Bills Signed: 218
Mem, Res Posted: 147
Mem, Res Passed: 9