HB 2603 creates mobile veteran service units to provide healthcare and support directly to rural and tribal veterans in Arizona who face travel barriers. These units will offer monthly community visits, telehealth access (especially for veterans with disabilities), behavioral health services, claims assistance, and mental health referrals in six specified counties: Navajo, Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Yavapai, and Gila. The units must comply with accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The department must report quarterly starting in 2027 on the number of veterans served, types of aid provided, claims filed, and improvement suggestions.
HB 2849, the "One Fair Wage Act," gradually increases Arizona's minimum wage from $10 hourly in 2017 to $18 hourly by 2027, with automatic annual adjustments starting in 2021 based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account for cost-of-living changes. It temporarily allows employers to pay tipped workers a base wage $3.00 below the minimum wage if tips bring their total earnings up to the minimum, but this exception ends on January 1, 2030. The bill requires a three-fourths vote in both legislative chambers to take effect, as mandated by the Arizona Constitution. This directly affects all Arizona hourly workers and their employers, particularly those in service industries relying on tips.
HCR 2027 would change Arizona's rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at public universities and community colleges. To qualify as an in-state student for tuition purposes starting July 1, 2027, students must have completed at least two years of K-12 education in Arizona (in public, private, or homeschool settings, or via an Arizona scholarship program), graduated from an Arizona high school or earned an Arizona high school equivalency diploma, and be a U.S. citizen, legal resident, or hold lawful immigration status. Community colleges would be required to deny in-state tuition rates to students who do not meet these new criteria. The bill is a voter-approved measure, currently awaiting approval in the next general election.
HB 2664 modifies Arizona's temporary custody and parenting time procedures in family court. It requires courts to reevaluate temporary orders every six months and mandates a hearing within 60 days for new requests, unless parties waive or exceptional circumstances exist. The bill also specifies that courts must make detailed written findings about why a temporary order serves a child's best interests, based on factors in Arizona law. This directly affects parents and children involved in divorce, separation, or custody disputes during ongoing legal proceedings. The changes aim to ensure timely reviews and clear court reasoning for temporary parenting arrangements.
HB 2576 amends Arizona's charter school funding statute to establish an annual inflation adjustment for charter school per-student payments. It sets fixed base rates ($2,131.90 for K-8 and $2,484.69 for 9-12) and requires the legislature to increase charter additional assistance by at least 2% or the GDP price deflator change (whichever is lower) starting in 2026-2027, while ensuring funding never drops below the 2026 base level. This directly affects Arizona charter schools receiving state funding, ensuring their per-student payments rise with inflation. The bill focuses on concrete funding mechanics rather than enrollment or operational rules. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House First/Second Reading, 2026).
HB 2701 requires Arizona's legislative council to display the official flags of all 22 federally recognized tribes in Wesley Bolin Plaza. This bill directly affects the state government (specifically the legislative council) and the tribes whose flags are displayed. It mandates a new, specific location for tribal flag display as part of public space management, without altering funding or other provisions in the existing monument law. The bill focuses on a procedural requirement for flag placement, not broader policy changes.
HB 2789 (Arizona) allows candidates for most state and local offices to pay a filing fee instead of collecting signature petitions to qualify for the ballot starting in 2028. This bill directly affects candidates running for Arizona state legislative seats, county offices, and other local positions (excluding federal races like Congress or President). The key provision requires the Secretary of State to set the fee amount and provide a notarized form for candidates to submit with payment, replacing the need for signature gathering. Candidates must still meet all other eligibility requirements to appear on the ballot.
HB 2510 modifies Arizona's election rules to allow counties to adjust polling locations for early and emergency voting. It permits county election boards to combine adjacent precincts for early voting if they anticipate reduced turnout at specific locations, and to establish emergency voting centers with specified hours and locations through a board resolution. Voters at emergency centers may update registration information without strict ID requirements. This affects county election officials, voters who use early/emergency centers, and schools that may provide polling space (though schools can deny requests for safety or space reasons). The bill does not change early voting hours but adjusts where voting can occur.
HB 2618 provides tuition waivers at Arizona public universities and community colleges for children or spouses of Arizona Gold Star Military Medal recipients who were killed or died from injuries in the line of duty while stationed in Arizona, limited to those under age 26. It also mandates trauma counseling for family members of deceased service members and Gold Star recipients for at least 10 years. The bill establishes a Fallen Guard Family Relief Fund to offer benefits like burial supplements, emergency aid, tuition reimbursements, and mental health services to immediate family members of Gold Star recipients. The Department of Veterans' Services will verify eligibility and coordinate these benefits under amended statutes.
HB 2450 prohibits Arizona state and local governments from requiring contractors or subcontractors on public construction projects to include project labor agreements, neutrality agreements, or participation in federally registered apprenticeship programs as conditions for winning or performing public works contracts. It directly affects construction companies bidding on public projects like schools, roads, or government buildings by removing these specific labor-related requirements. The bill explicitly allows private collective bargaining and does not interfere with federal labor protections or existing employee rights. This applies to all contracts involving the construction, repair, or improvement of public facilities funded by the state or local agencies.
HCR 2024 proposes amending Arizona's constitution to explicitly state that voting is a fundamental right, requiring any law restricting voting to be narrowly tailored for a compelling government interest. It would strengthen protections beyond the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause, ensuring voting rights cannot be denied based on sex and extending equal eligibility to all citizens. The amendment clarifies that voting eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, age 18+, and state residency, while excluding individuals convicted of treason or felony (unless civil rights are restored). This constitutional change must be approved by Arizona voters at the next general election, as directed by the Secretary of State.
HB 2694 creates a new tax credit for Arizona small businesses that provide health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) to employees. It allows businesses with 1-50 employees to claim a $400 tax credit per employee covered by an individual coverage HRA, provided they contribute at least $400 per employee annually. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and is defined using federal HRA regulations. This directly affects small employers seeking to offset costs of providing employee health benefits.
