Education

introduced · Arizona · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 2947: public schools; student discipline; absenteeism

HB 2947 prohibits charter schools from suspending students for unexcused absences and updates school discipline rules for all public schools in Arizona. It specifically bans suspension as a penalty for absenteeism (except for students absent due to illness certified by a licensed healthcare provider) and requires school districts to establish clear procedures for discipline, including written parental notice for confinement and annual reporting of suspensions/expulsions involving illegal substances. The bill mandates that school boards hold hearings for suspensions over ten days, include specific appeal processes, and post aggregated suspension data online without personally identifiable information. These changes directly affect students, school districts, and charter schools by altering disciplinary practices and increasing transparency around school discipline outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans suspensions for unexcused absences (except illness), promoting student access and reducing punitive discipline in schools95% confidence

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 29, 2026

HB 2921: physical education instruction; public schools

HB 2921 requires Arizona public school districts to provide daily physical education for all K-12 students, with at least 60% of that time spent in moderate activity. The bill mandates instruction including team activities (like dance), career pathways in health/fitness, and skills for lifelong physical activity. Exceptions allow excusal for students on school sports teams (with minimum weekly activity), medical reasons, chronic health conditions, IEP team decisions, or parental requests. It also prohibits outdoor activities during extreme weather, directly affecting all public school students and their districts' physical education programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates daily PE with specific activity requirements, enhancing student physical activity programs in K-12 schools per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Student Health

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2235: juvenile detention centers; education programs

HB 2235 requires Arizona counties operating juvenile detention centers to provide education programs for all school-age youth in custody, coordinated with school superintendents and juvenile courts. It also mandates similar education programs for youth under 21 without high school diplomas in county jails. Funding for these programs includes a fixed annual base amount (adjusted for inflation) plus a variable amount based on the number of instructional days provided, with additional support for students with disabilities. The bill ensures programs align with public school standards and facilitate reintegration into regular school districts upon release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates education programs in juvenile detention and county jails, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates education programs in juvenile detention/jails with funding, expanding access for incarcerated youth and coordinating with school systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice K-12 Education

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2461: employer surcharge; workforce development

HB 2461 creates a new 1% surcharge on payroll taxes for Arizona businesses employing 50 or more workers, starting in 2027. The surcharge applies to all business types (including corporations and "small business taxpayers" as defined) and funds a dedicated Community College Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Program Fund. Monies collected will be deposited into this fund to support community college workforce training programs. The bill directly affects businesses with 50+ employees across Arizona, with no changes to existing tax structures beyond this new surcharge.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 1% payroll surcharge on businesses to fund workforce development programs, directly increasing tax revenue for public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds community college workforce training programs via payroll surcharge, directly supporting higher education access and workforce development through dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds community college workforce training programs via payroll surcharge, directly enhancing worker skills and employment opportunities under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing Higher Education Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2241: accommodation schools; building renewal grants

This bill creates a state fund to help Arizona school districts repair and maintain existing school buildings, requiring districts to demonstrate routine preventive maintenance to qualify. Funds cover major repairs for classrooms, system upgrades, and infrastructure but cannot be used for new construction, cosmetic changes, or routine upkeep. Accommodation schools may only access the fund if their buildings were constructed before 2014 using prior school facilities board funds. Projects directly impacting student safety or building closures receive priority over other requests.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state fund for school infrastructure repairs (classrooms/systems), directly funding critical maintenance needs per education topic description. Excludes new construction but supports existing building safety/quality.90% confidence

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2572: in-state student status; nonimmigrant aliens

HB 2572 modifies Arizona law to expand in-state tuition eligibility for certain students. It allows nonimmigrant aliens (excluding those covered under 8 U.S. Code § 1101(a)(15)) who attended Arizona high school for two years and graduated locally (including homeschoolers) to qualify for in-state rates at Arizona public universities and community colleges. This includes students without lawful immigration status who meet the residency requirements. The bill requires a three-fourths legislative vote for enactment under Arizona's Constitution.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands in-state tuition access to qualifying nonimmigrant students (including undocumented students meeting residency), directly increasing educational access to Arizona public colleges.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands in-state tuition access for immigrant students meeting residency, including those without lawful status, supporting educational integration and access to state services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education DACA & Dreamers

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2298: higher education; increased costs; restrictions

HB 2298 amends Arizona law to restrict how public universities can increase tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students. It prohibits tuition hikes exceeding the Phoenix metropolitan area consumer price index (CPI) for resident students and freezes tuition for the first four consecutive years of enrollment. The bill requires universities to hold public hearings on proposed increases, disclose details 10 days in advance, and report enrollment data to the legislature. These changes directly affect Arizona public university students (especially in-state undergraduates) and the Arizona Board of Regents, which administers the new rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts tuition hikes to protect student affordability in higher education, aligning with 'protect' under support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2616: tuition waivers; ABOR; community colleges

HB 2616 establishes the Ernest McFarland Act tuition waiver scholarship program, providing tuition coverage at Arizona universities and community colleges for veterans and military-connected families. It directly affects veterans discharged honorably after 180+ days of active duty, spouses/children of service members killed in action or with service-connected disabilities, and military family members with permanent disabilities. The program covers tuition costs for eligible students who qualify as in-state residents, with a limit of 150 total credit hours across all programs. The Arizona Board of Regents administers the program, sets credit hour limits based on degree programs, and allows hardship exceptions for academic progress requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for veterans' families at colleges, expanding educational access and funding for higher education through direct financial support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes tuition waiver scholarship for veterans and military families, covering tuition costs for eligible veterans and dependents, directly expanding educational benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2635: full-day kindergarten students; ADM.

HB 2635 sets standards for Arizona online schools and course providers, focusing on curriculum quality, student safety, and teacher qualifications - not full-day kindergarten as the title suggests. It requires online schools to meet specific criteria (like filtered internet access, virtual learning tools, and partnerships with educational institutions) and mandates probationary status for new programs until academic improvements are proven. The bill also establishes rules for calculating average daily membership (ADM) and funding: full-time online students receive 95% of standard funding, while part-time students receive 85%, with strict limits on how attendance hours can be counted across traditional and online programs. These provisions directly affect Arizona public schools, charter schools, and online education providers participating in the state’s virtual learning programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates curriculum quality, student safety, and teacher standards for online schools, strengthening educational oversight and program accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2040: public educational institutions; adoption information

HB 2040 would require Arizona public schools to provide students with information about current U.S. adoption practices and state adoption resources whenever school staff discuss contraception, STI testing, or dispense contraception. It also mandates that sex education curricula for grades 7-12 include specific content about adoption practices, resources, and related laws. Schools must make curriculum materials available for parental review and hold public hearings before adopting or updating programs. The bill is currently pending in the Arizona legislature and has not been enacted.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates adoption information in sex education curricula, expanding required content to enhance student education on adoption resources within K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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