Labor & Employment (Minimum Wage)

introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1766: inmate labor; wages

SB 1766 sets minimum wage standards for prisoners working in Arizona state prisons or contracted private prisons under the prison industries program. It requires at least $1.50 per hour for most prison labor and $2 per hour for private prison contracts, with compensation based on work quality and skill. The bill mandates deductions from prisoner earnings for court fees, dependent care, a transition program, and room and board, with remaining funds placed in a retention account accessible upon release. Prisoners are explicitly not considered employees and do not qualify for workers' compensation benefits. This law directly affects incarcerated individuals participating in Arizona's prison work programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets minimum wages for prison labor, promoting fair compensation and rehabilitation opportunities within corrections reform.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes minimum wage standards ($1.50-$2/hr) for prison labor, advancing compensation protections within employment context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Minimum Wage Workers' Compensation

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introduced · Arizona · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 4015: prisoners; contracts; telecommute

HB 4015 amends Arizona law to establish a new category of prison labor: telecommuting contracts between private companies and the state prison system. It requires a minimum wage of $2.00 per hour for prisoners working remotely under these contracts, higher than the standard $1.50 limit for regular prison labor. This directly affects prisoners participating in private telecommuting programs, who will receive higher compensation but remain classified as non-employees without workers' compensation rights. The bill also updates deduction rules for earnings from these contracts, including mandatory contributions to transition programs and court costs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases prison telecommute wage from $1.50 to $2.00/hr, directly raising compensation for workers in this program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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in committee · Arizona · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2690: unemployment benefits; requirements; disqualifications; determinations.

HB 2690 modifies Arizona's unemployment benefits rules to clarify when job seekers may lose benefits for not accepting work and updates the shared work program for employers. It defines "suitable work" as jobs paying at least the individual's weekly benefit amount plus supplemental benefits, plus minimum wage, and specifies that work below these thresholds isn't considered suitable. The bill also revises employer requirements for the shared work program, including maintaining fringe benefits during reduced hours and documenting prior compensation. Eligible workers can receive shared work benefits for up to 26 weeks per year, unless state unemployment rates exceed 4%.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDefines 'suitable work' to protect job seekers from losing benefits for refusing jobs below weekly benefit + min wage, advancing worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage Unemployment

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introduced · Arizona · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2937: nuclear power plant; employees; requirements

HB 2937 requires nuclear power plant contractors and subcontractors in Arizona to use a skilled workforce, mandating that skilled journeymen (experienced workers who completed approved training programs) make up 30% of the workforce by 2027, 45% by 2028, and 60% by 2029. It also requires contractors to pay skilled journeymen at least the prevailing wage for their occupation, which must meet or exceed the minimum wage. The Arizona Industrial Commission will create rules to verify worker qualifications and handle workplace violations. This bill directly affects contractors performing maintenance, repair, or installation work at licensed nuclear power plants in Arizona.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wage ≥ min wage and skilled workforce quotas, strengthening wage standards and worker protections per bill requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Minimum Wage

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2295: minimum wage increase

HB 2295 raises Arizona's minimum wage to $18 per hour by January 1, 2027, with scheduled increases from $10 in 2017 up to $12 in 2020. After 2020, the wage will automatically adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index (measuring cost-of-living changes) to maintain its value. The bill also allows employers to pay tipped workers a base wage up to $3 less per hour, provided total tips plus wages meet the minimum wage requirement. This applies to most hourly workers in Arizona covered by state minimum wage law, including those in restaurants and service industries. The bill requires a three-fourths legislative vote to take effect.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises Arizona's minimum wage to $18/hour by 2027 with inflation adjustments, ensuring worker earnings keep pace with cost of living. Tipped worker provision maintains wage floor.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2849: minimum wage; definitions; increase

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases Arizona minimum wage from $10 to $18/hr by 2027 with CPI adjustments, directly advancing worker wage standards and protecting against cost-of-living erosion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HCR 2021: minimum wage; increase; definitions

This bill, if approved by Arizona voters, would increase the state's minimum wage to $12 per hour starting January 1, 2020, with annual inflation adjustments beginning in 2028 based on the consumer price index. It would allow employers to pay tipped workers a base wage up to $3 less per hour than the minimum wage if tips make up the difference, but this exception would end on January 1, 2030, requiring full minimum wage payment for all workers thereafter. The measure directly affects Arizona workers, particularly low-wage and tipped employees, and aims to provide a wage floor that rises with living costs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wage to $12/hr with inflation adjustments and phases out lower tipped wage by 2030, directly strengthening worker compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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passed both · Arizona · House Jun 15, 2026

HCR 2040: minimum wage; exception; homeless

HCR 2040 proposes an exception to Arizona's minimum wage law, allowing homeless individuals or those at risk of homelessness to voluntarily choose to accept pay below the state minimum wage. The bill would amend Arizona law (ARS 23-363) to permit such individuals to submit written notice to employers opting out of minimum wage requirements. This exception would apply only to employees who meet the homelessness criteria and must be formally documented by the employee. The measure requires voter approval to become law, as it is structured as a referendum.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentAllows sub-minimum wage pay for homeless workers, directly weakening wage protections by creating an exception to minimum wage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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vetoed · Arizona · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1036: unemployment benefits; requirements; disqualifications; determinations

SB 1036 revises Arizona's unemployment benefit rules to clarify disqualification standards for job seekers who refuse suitable work or fail to actively seek employment. It defines "suitable work" as positions paying at least the minimum wage and exceeding the individual's weekly benefit amount, with exceptions for unlisted job offers. The bill also updates requirements for "shared work" programs, mandating employers to submit detailed plans showing how reduced hours prevent layoffs and maintain fringe benefits like health insurance for affected workers. These changes directly impact unemployment claimants and employers participating in shared work arrangements.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill tightens unemployment disqualification by requiring 'suitable work' to pay minimum wage + exceed benefit amount, restricting access to benefits and weakening worker protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage Unemployment

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