HB 2629 requires Arizona businesses (merchants) accepting credit or debit card payments to disclose the tax amount during electronic transactions to avoid being charged an interchange fee on that tax portion. If a merchant fails to provide this tax information upfront, they must submit tax documentation within 180 days to receive a refund of the fee from the payment processor. Payment networks and processors are prohibited from charging fees for tax amounts or manipulating fee calculations, and violations incur a $1,000 civil penalty per transaction. The bill directly affects merchants, payment networks, and banks handling electronic payments in Arizona, aiming to prevent extra fees on taxes collected by businesses.
HB 2339 creates "historical society chapter building enhancement funds" to support local historical chapters in Arizona. These funds allow chapters to collect donations for acquiring, maintaining, and enhancing physical buildings and facilities used for historical preservation work. Chapters must submit annual reports detailing fund sources and spending, and the funds are exempt from standard budget expiration rules. The bill directly affects county-level historical chapters organized under the Arizona Historical Society, enabling them to use private donations for their physical operations.
HB 2037 corrects Arizona's licensing rules for international registered nurses seeking a license without prior U.S. state licensure. It removes the requirement that applicants must graduate from a "board-approved program" while keeping other key steps: submitting credential evaluations, meeting English proficiency standards, verifying international license status, and passing the nursing exam. This directly affects international nursing graduates who want to practice in Arizona but aren't currently licensed in another U.S. state. The bill streamlines the process by eliminating one barrier without changing other substantive requirements.
HB 2738 (Electric utility customers; carbon reduction) would allow Arizona residential and business electricity customers to switch to a different provider within their current utility's service area if their current utility declares a goal to replace reliable power sources (like natural gas or nuclear) with intermittent ones (like solar or wind). The bill requires the state utility commission to create rules for customers to petition to switch providers and for alternative providers to offer safe, affordable, and reliable service in the same area. The bill failed to pass on March 5, 2025, after advancing through committee and chamber votes. It did not become law and would not have affected current utility operations.
HB 2235 requires Arizona road authorities to install specific signs on multi-lane highways directing slower-moving traffic to stay in lanes other than the farthest left lane. The signs must display "left lane for passing only, slow TRAFFIC keep right" alongside a "$500 fine" notice. The law mandates that drivers traveling slower than normal traffic must use the rightmost lane (or stay near the right curb), with a $500 civil penalty for violations. This directly affects all drivers on Arizona highways with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction.
HB 2022 establishes Arizona's "Save Our Children School Safety Program" to enhance school safety through employee training and emergency preparedness. It creates a dedicated fund to reimburse eligible K-12 schools and employees for certified safety training, safety equipment (like medical kits), and firearm carry authorization costs, with reimbursement on a first-come basis. Schools may authorize certified employees to carry firearms on campus if they notify law enforcement, ensure staff certification, and maintain confidentiality of participant information (including names and schedules). The program requires biennial reports tracking certified staff, firearm-carrying employees, fund balances, and program feedback, with immunity provided to certified staff acting in good faith during active threats.
HCR 2002 is a proposed constitutional amendment (requiring voter approval) that would allow Arizona counties to establish voting centers - locations where any voter in the county can cast a ballot on election day, rather than being restricted to their specific precinct polling place. If approved by voters, it would amend Arizona statutes to remove the current prohibition (Section 16-411, subsection 4) that prevents county boards from authorizing voting centers. This change would directly affect county election officials, who could then designate multiple voting centers across a county, and voters, who would have more flexible polling locations. The measure does not currently have legal effect and requires voter approval to become law.
HB 2684 prohibits pedestrians from congregating or soliciting (e.g., asking for money) on traffic islands, medians, highway ramps, or unsafe locations without sidewalks. It directly affects pedestrians who gather in these specific high-risk areas, such as busy roadways or unprotected medians. The bill establishes a tiered enforcement approach: a first violation receives only a warning, a second violation is a civil traffic violation (likely involving a fine), and third or subsequent violations are classified as a class 1 misdemeanor. The law aims to improve pedestrian safety by restricting gathering in locations where pedestrians face significant traffic dangers.
SB 1069 increases Arizona's personal property tax exemption limit for agricultural and business property owners. It raises the maximum exempt value from $207,366 to $500,000 per taxpayer for qualifying property used in farming or trade/business. The exemption amount will automatically adjust each year based on changes in Arizona's private industry wage inflation index. This bill directly affects taxpayers owning eligible property, reducing their property tax burden starting in 2026. The change applies to class one and class two property as defined in Arizona tax law.
Arizona's SB 1313 prohibits cities, counties, and other local governments from requiring residents to recycle materials that aren't currently being actively recycled. The bill defines "actively recycled" as materials reprocessed into new products, meaning localities can't mandate recycling for items not actually turned into new items. It applies to all Arizona municipalities and counties, amending existing recycling laws to prevent misleading recycling claims. The law takes effect upon passage, ensuring residents aren't pressured to sort materials that don't enter actual recycling streams.
HB 2792 requires Arizona school districts to establish clear rules for student discipline, suspensions, and expulsions. It mandates parental written notification and consent for confining students in enclosed spaces (with exceptions for imminent harm), and annual reporting to the state education department on suspensions/expulsions involving illegal substances - without sharing personally identifiable information. The bill also standardizes hearing procedures for long-term suspensions (over 10 days), including written notice to parents, appeal processes, and rules for executive sessions. These changes directly affect school districts, administrators, teachers, and students' families by increasing transparency and procedural safeguards in disciplinary actions.
SB 1699 establishes an Air Quality Permitting Coordination Committee with members from Arizona's Department of Environmental Quality and county air quality departments (Maricopa, Pima, Pinal). The committee must meet quarterly to review permits, ensure consistency across jurisdictions, and share best practices, then submit annual reports starting in 2026. The bill requires the state and counties to adopt standardized general air quality permits for specific industries (like landfills, oil/gas facilities, and aggregate processing) by July 2026 and develop clear guidance on emissions limits and permit eligibility. These changes aim to streamline permitting processes while ensuring uniform standards across Arizona's air quality agencies. The bill expires December 31, 2027.
