preferential treatment; discrimination; prohibited acts
This proposed constitutional amendment (HCR 2044) would prohibit Arizona state and local governments from granting preferential treatment or discrimination based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, or contracting. It specifically bans requiring individuals to endorse race-based policies, spending public funds on offices promoting such policies, or implementing disciplinary actions based on race/ethnicity. The amendment directly affects public schools, universities, government agencies, and contractors operating under state authority. If approved by voters, it would become part of Arizona's Constitution, replacing existing antidiscrimination laws in these specific areas.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2026
Last action Jun 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced Version
→
House Engrossed Version (02/26/2026)
·
5 edits
·
Feb 26, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was reformatted from a draft to an official House Engrossed version, adding a new section that clarifies exceptions and definitions. This new section explicitly allows sex-specific spaces, permits compliance with federal programs, and protects the teaching of historical events like slavery or the Holocaust, while maintaining prohibitions on race-based preferential treatment.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include specific exceptions for bona fide sex-based qualifications, federal program eligibility, and historical education, which were not as clearly defined in the previous version.
SCOPE
Added explicit exceptions allowing sex-specific spaces and designations necessary for normal operations.
Added provisions permitting actions required to maintain eligibility for federal funding.
Added a specific exemption allowing the teaching and discussion of historical movements like slavery, the Holocaust, and Japanese-American internment.
DEFINITION
Added a formal definition of 'state' to include cities, counties, and specific public universities.
TECHNICAL
Changed the document header and formatting to reflect the official House Engrossed Version status.
Floor votes · House Feb 26, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
6
Committee
2
Jun 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Jun 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
DP
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
DP
lower
1 primary · 31 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Steve Montenegro
RRepublican
Co
Alex Kolodin
RRepublican
Co
Beverly Pingerelli
RRepublican
Co
Chris Lopez
RRepublican
Co
David Livingston
RRepublican
Co
David Marshall
RRepublican
Co
Frank Carroll
RRepublican
Co
Gail Griffin
RRepublican
Co
James Taylor
RRepublican
Co
Janae Shamp
RRepublican
Co
Jeff Weninger
RRepublican
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