This bill updates the administrative powers of the Arizona Board of Regents to govern the state's public universities for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It authorizes the board to set tuition and fees based on student residency and enrollment status, while establishing a separate fund for tuition revenue that cannot be used to support alumni associations. The legislation also mandates public hearings and roll call votes for any tuition increases, ensures guaranteed admission for veterans, and requires the board to submit annual budget requests that include projected tuition revenue.
HB 2142 establishes a school safety program within Arizona’s Department of Education to fund safety personnel and resources for schools. It directly affects Arizona public school districts and charter schools, which can apply for up to three years of funding to cover costs for school resource officers, counselors, social workers, safety technology, training, or infrastructure improvements. School applications must include detailed safety assessments, building plans, and specific plans for implementing programs (like law-related education or counseling services), with requirements differing based on whether the funding supports personnel or alternative safety measures. The program is administered by the Department of Education’s School Safety Center, which reviews proposals using crime and academic data and verifies school submissions.
SB 1004 allows Arizona students using Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) to participate in school district sports and activities on the same terms as enrolled students. School districts must apply identical eligibility rules, fees (capped at the student’s pro rata share of costs), and academic requirements - such as passing grades and progress - to ESA students as they do for enrolled students. The bill prohibits districts from charging ESA students more than their fair share of activity costs or contracting with organizations that exclude ESA students. It also bars ESA students from participating if they were enrolled in district schools, multiple private schools, or a private school offering the activity during the same school year.
SB 1424 requires Arizona public schools to provide annual, age-appropriate firearm safety instruction to students in kindergarten through 12th grade starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The instruction must focus solely on accident prevention and personal safety - covering safe storage, actions to take if encountering a firearm, and risks of unsafe handling - while explicitly prohibiting live firearms, ammunition, or any training on firearm use. The Arizona Department of Education will develop neutral, fact-based instructional materials in collaboration with public safety agencies, and schools must make all materials available for parental review. The bill does not regulate firearm ownership or possession, nor does it promote or discourage firearm ownership.
SB 1582 allocates $3.2 million from Arizona's general fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to the Department of Education for its existing school safety program. This funding supports the program established under Arizona Revised Statutes §15-154, which focuses on school safety initiatives. The bill directly affects the Department of Education as the recipient and indirectly benefits Arizona public schools through this dedicated funding stream. As a purely financial measure, it does not create new policies or change program requirements.
This bill proposes changes to Arizona's higher education funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allows the state to match less than one dollar for every dollar collected from student registration fee surcharges and sets the specific amounts for state aid to community colleges for STEM and workforce programs. Additionally, it defines the limits for general operating state aid provided to community college districts. The legislation was vetoed by the Governor on May 5, 2026.
This bill amends Arizona state law to clarify how public funds are distributed to charter schools sponsored by state agencies, universities, or community colleges. It establishes specific rules for calculating financial support, including adjustments for small schools and provisions to prevent double-counting funds if a student is enrolled in both a charter and a traditional public school. Additionally, the legislation requires these schools to revise their student counts and budgets by mid-May and ensures that any grants received for basic operations reduce the state's financial contribution to avoid taxpayer duplication.
SB 1754 clarifies Arizona's process for handling parent complaints about school districts' special education services. It requires the state education department to post complaint investigation reports online within 60 days (after redacting personal information), excluding them from "student level data" rules. The bill defines when complaints are "does-not-qualify" (e.g., if the student isn't a child with a disability or allegations don't violate special education laws). It also mandates that department policies for complaint handling include public comment periods starting December 2026. This directly affects parents filing complaints, school districts responding to them, and the state education department managing the process.
HB 2378 establishes a School Facilities Oversight Board to review and oversee public school construction and renovation projects in Arizona. The board, composed of 10 appointed members including taxpayer representatives, architects, engineers, construction company owners, and business community members, must maintain geographic and public-private balance. The bill requires the state division to set policies for expediting change order approvals (within two business days), annually notifying school districts about available funding through a public website, and maintaining a list of facilities management contacts at each district.
This bill allows Arizona to participate in a federal tax credit program, enabling individuals to claim a credit for contributions to qualified scholarship organizations. Starting in 2027, certified Arizona scholarship groups can provide funds for elementary and secondary education expenses, such as tuition or materials, under federal law. The state’s Department of Education must certify these organizations, maintain a public list of them, and submit annual reports to the federal government to maintain eligibility. The bill does not create new scholarships but aligns Arizona with existing federal tax incentives for education-related donations.
