HB 2913 establishes a tuition waiver scholarship program under Arizona's Board of Regents for specific military-connected students. It directly affects veterans who served over 180 days (with honorable discharge), spouses/children of military members killed, disabled, or missing in action, and Arizona National Guard family members. The bill sets clear eligibility rules: applicants must be in-state students, meet military connection criteria, and comply with academic progress (with hardship exceptions for illness, caregiving, or active duty). Key provisions include a 150-credit-hour limit for waivers, requirements for colleges to report usage, and restrictions on ineligible courses like those not state-funded. The program aims to expand access to tuition-free education for qualifying military-affiliated students at Arizona's community colleges and universities.
HB 2902 amends Arizona's corporate income tax law to increase the minimum tax for larger corporations. It sets a $1,000 minimum tax for corporations with 50 or more employees (up from $50), while smaller corporations remain subject to the $50 minimum. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and affects businesses meeting the employee threshold. The bill modifies Section 43-1111 of Arizona Revised Statutes to implement this targeted tax adjustment.
HB 2795 establishes Arizona's "Arizona HEALTH Program," a state-run health care system providing comprehensive coverage to all Arizona residents who choose to enroll. The program would be funded through a new payroll tax requiring employers to pay 80% and employees 20% of wages above $25,000 annually, with no premiums or enrollment fees for residents. Key provisions include creating a Board of Trustees with specific stakeholder representation to develop benefit coverage plans incorporating existing state health programs like Medicaid and state employee benefits. The bill directly affects all Arizona residents and employers by creating a mandatory state-funded health care option alongside private insurance choices.
HB 2942 establishes a "Firefighters Bill of Rights" in Arizona, directly affecting all nonprobationary firefighters employed by the state or local governments, including those working through private contracts or emergency medical services. The bill requires that disciplinary actions (like dismissal or suspension) only occur for "just cause," defined as fair notice of misconduct, evidence supporting the claim, and proportionality to the offense. Key provisions include requiring employers to notify firefighters of complaints within seven days, allowing them to have a coworker (not an attorney) present during interviews, and permitting firefighters to record their own interviews. It also mandates that employers provide disciplinary history for similar cases before imposing penalties.
HB 2853 establishes the Tribal Community College Operations Fund to provide dedicated state funding for tribal community colleges in Arizona. It appropriates $13.3 million annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2025-2026 through 2027-2028, directly supporting operational costs like instructional programs and daily expenses for these institutions. The fund, managed by the Department of Administration, is exempt from standard appropriation lapse rules and can use investment earnings. This bill specifically targets tribal community colleges to strengthen their ongoing operations through guaranteed state funding.
HB 2911 allocates $5 million annually from the state general fund for Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS) to support its existing Healthy Families Program. The funding covers fiscal years 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028, with the legislature intending this to become ongoing annual funding. This bill directly affects the DCS program, which provides services to families, though it does not change the program's structure or eligibility. The key mechanism is the dedicated state funding stream for the program's operations. The bill focuses solely on financial support for an established service, with no new policy requirements.
HB 2907 changes eligibility rules for Arizona school district governing board members. It prohibits school employees (including third-party contractors) and their spouses from serving on the board, and bans immediate family members who lived in the same household within the past four years from serving simultaneously on five-member boards. For larger districts (over 250 students in high-population counties), it limits to two related members (by blood or marriage) on the board. The bill also requires candidates to submit written statements disclosing family relationships with other candidates or board members, and allows residents to sue if these rules are violated. This directly affects school board candidates and members in Arizona school districts.
HB 2900 updates Arizona's health insurance appeal process for denied coverage. It gives members up to two years to request an initial appeal after a denial and requires insurers to send written acknowledgment within five business days. The bill specifies that appeal reviews for medical necessity must be conducted by licensed physicians or advanced practice nurses (like nurse practitioners), and clarifies when external reviews can be requested. This affects patients, healthcare providers, and insurers by standardizing appeal timelines and review procedures.
This bill amends Arizona's exemption law to better protect essential income from creditors. It increases the $5,000 personal property exemption to adjust annually with inflation, adds exemptions for federal/state earned income and child tax credits, and expands protections for retirement plan benefits. It also preserves existing exemptions for child support, disability insurance proceeds, and prepaid rent (up to $2,000 for housing). These changes directly affect Arizona residents relying on these specific income streams for basic needs. The law ensures these funds remain accessible while maintaining creditor protections.
HB 2821 allows certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, and licensed midwives to accompany patients in ambulances during out-of-hospital births when emergency services (911) are requested. It permits these midwives to continue providing necessary medical care while transporting the patient to a hospital. The bill directly affects midwives and patients choosing home births in Arizona, clarifying their role during emergency transport. This policy change modifies existing ambulance protocols to explicitly include midwives as authorized personnel during such transports. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House First and Second Reading as of February 2025).
HB 2936 establishes new rules for when Arizona schools may use physical restraint or seclusion on students. It requires that such techniques only be used when a student's behavior presents an imminent danger of bodily harm, with continuous monitoring and proper training for staff. Schools must notify parents within 24 hours of an incident and document details like triggers, techniques used, and duration. Parents or others can file complaints with the state department if schools violate these rules, leading to mandatory staff training for confirmed violations. The bill directly affects students, school staff, and parents in Arizona public and charter schools.
HB 2328 is a technical correction to Arizona's liquor licensing law (ARS § 4-204). It clarifies that court-appointed managers (like executors or guardians) of a liquor licensee's estate can sell alcohol under the existing license for up to 24 months with director approval, and that security interest holders (e.g., creditors) can sell liquor acquired through enforcement of a security interest. The bill specifies this authority doesn’t apply if the license is transferred to a surviving spouse or minor child’s guardian during the 24-month period. It does not create new licensing rules but corrects procedural language in existing law.
