Education and Workforce


HB2018 - Private universities; Arizona teachers academy
Sponsor: Rep. Matt Gress (R)
Summary: Appropriates $10 million from the Arizona State General Fund for FY 2025-2026 for the Arizona Teachers Academy Fund. Stipulates that reimbursement for an Arizona Teachers Academy scholarship provided to a student by a “postsecondary educational institution” (defined) may not exceed the remainder of the average of in-state tuition and fees charged by Arizona Board of Regents universities, less other gifts and aid awarded to the student. Permits any Arizona degree granting private institution that offers postbaccalaureate teacher preparation programs that lead to certification to participate in the Arizona Teachers Academy and receive monies from the Arizona Teachers Academy fund.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/10/2025 3:24 PM

1/9 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/03/2025 

HB2020 - Teacher retention; study; report
Sponsor: Rep. Matt Gress (R)
Summary: Appropriates $100,000 from the Arizona Teacher Certification Fund in FY 2025-2026 to the Arizona Department of Education (ADOE) for a study of school district and charter school teacher retention rates. Requires charter school and school district budgets to contain the number of full-time equivalent teachers for the current year by school site and if applicable, by subject area and grade level. Requires that the ADOE complete an annual study of the retention rate of teachers in school districts and charter schools and defines the information that must be included in the report. Mandates that ADOE submit study results to the Governor and legislature by January 1, 2026 and that the ADOE will maintain a publicly accessible, interactive dashboard on its website that publishes the study results and associated recommendations, and the data that formulated those conclusions.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/10/2025 3:24 PM

1/9 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/03/2025 

HB2032 - Workers' compensation; assigned risk plan
Sponsor: Rep. David Livingston (R)
Summary: Requires that an employer who is refused coverage by two or more insurers be placed in the assigned risk plan established by this legislation unless on a current or prior workers’ compensation policy the employer knowingly does not meet reasonable health and safety, audit or loss prevention requirements, allow an insurance carrier or assigned insurance carrier reasonable access to employer records for audit or inspection purposes under the policy, has an outstanding premium that is due on a workers’ compensation policy and that is not subject to a dispute, the employer or employers representative knowingly fails to comply with the assigned risk plans application procedures or makes a material misrepresentation on the application.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/10/2025 3:25 PM

1/9 Added to EW tracking

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 3:13 PM

1/27 EW recommend supporting

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
S - Transmit to Senate

HB2033 - Workers' compensation; service; definition
Sponsor: Rep. David Livingston (R)
Summary: Modifies the definition of “serve” or “service" to include electronic transmission in a manner  reasonably calculated to achieve effective service unless the receiving  party opts out by providing written notice to the other party.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/10/2025 3:25 PM

1/9 Added to EW tracking

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 3:14 PM

1/27 EW recommended supporting

Last Action:
02/04/2025 

HB2069 - Instructional time models; posting requirements
Sponsor: Rep. James Taylor (R)
Summary: Removes permission for schools to provide up to 50% of its total instructional time in a remote setting without impact to the school’s funding. Requires each school district and charter school to submit instructional time models to the department of education to post on the department’s website all instructional time models adopted pursuant to this bill, including the time model’s impact on the school’s funding, if any, for each model.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/15/2025 11:08 AM

1/13 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/03/2025 
S - Transmit to Senate

HB2078 - Menu of assessments; public schools
Sponsor: Rep. Lisa Fink (R)
Summary: Makes technical corrections and updates applicable statutes and dates throughout this legislation. Prohibits the Arizona State Board of Education from requiring a public school to administer the statewide assessment pursuant to this legislation to any pupil to whom the public school has administered an assessment pursuant to state law. Defines the role of district and school level governance and responsibilities. Defines how an achievement assessment used by a local education agency that is not on the menu of assessments may be added provided it meets state mandated criteria. Requires the Arizona Department of Education to annually calculate the average per pupil cost of administering the statewide assessment pursuant to this legislation and provides for funding for a local education agency that administers an assessment based on listed criteria.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/15/2025 11:07 AM

1/13 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
01/15/2025 
H - House 2nd Read

HB2187 - ABOR; university presidents; compensation
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: Restricts the annual compensation of a president of an institution under the control of the Arizona Board of Regents to no more than 20 times the amount of the annual salary that members of the Arizona legislature collect. Stipulates that this legislation applies to all employment contracts entered into or renewed after the effective date of the legislation.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/20/2025 9:58 AM

1/16 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
01/22/2025 
H - House 2nd Read

HB2213 - Appropriation; free school meals
Sponsor: Rep. Nancy Gutierrez (D)
Summary: Appropriates $3,800.000 from the general fund in FY2025-26 t to the department of education to provide free school lunches for children who meet the income eligibility  requirements for free and reduced-price lunches under the national school lunch and child nutrition acts.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/23/2025 1:48 PM

1/23/24 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
01/28/2025 
H - DP   - House Education

HB2383 - Appropriations; applied research centers; technology
Sponsor: Rep. Justin Wilmeth (R)
Summary: Appropriates $8,000,000 from the Arizona State General Fund in FY 2025-2026 to Arizona Commerce Authority (Authority) to be distributed to eligible Applied research centers for specific, listed projects. Stipulates that the Authority distribute the monies appropriated in increments of up to $250,000 within 30 days and that an Applied Research Center notifies the Authority in writing that it has received a matching amount from sources other than Arizona, and that for the purposes of funds distribution appropriated in this legislation, the Authority is exempt from the requirements pertaining to the Arizona Procurement Code. List requirements an Applied Research Center that receives a distribution pursuant to this legislation must follow. Requires an Applied Research Center that receives an appropriation to submit an expenditure and performance report to the Authority each fiscal year, and the Authority to transmit the reports to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting. Exempts this appropriation from lapsing appropriations provisions and stipulates that this appropriation is considered ongoing funding in future years.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/20/2025 9:47 AM

1/16 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
01/28/2025 
H - House 2nd Read

HB2420 - Appropriation; college credit; examination; incentive
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: Appropriates $4,214,700 from the Arizona State General Fund in FY 2025-2026 to the Arizona Department of Education for the College Credit By Examination Incentive Program. The legislature intends for this program to be fully funded in future years and this appropriation is in addition to any other appropriations made in FY 2025-2026.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/20/2025 9:41 AM

1/17 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
H - DP   - House Education

HB2422 - Income tax; deduction; tuition; loans
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: Permits a taxpayer, when computing taxable income, to deduct the amount paid by that taxpayer during the taxable year for tuition to a public, nonprofit or private college, university, Community College or other postsecondary educational institution, or for student loan repayment. Establishes that this deduction applies to all taxable years starting January 1, 2025.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/20/2025 9:40 AM

1/17 Added to BT & EW tracking

Last Action:
01/28/2025 
H - House 2nd Read

HB2434 - Emergency response plans; charter schools
Sponsor: Rep. Matt Gress (R)
Summary: Requires a charter school, working in coordination with local law enforcement agencies and emergency response agencies, to develop an emergency response plan for each school in compliance with minimum standards developed jointly by the Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona Division of Emergency Management within the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. Requires any emergency response plan to address how the school and emergency responders will communicate and provide assistance to students with disabilities in the event of an emergency.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/20/2025 9:39 AM

1/17 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
H - DP   - House Education

HB2450 - Unemployment insurance; benefit amounts
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Carbone (R)
Summary: Reduces the maximum amount of unemployment insurance benefits during a benefit year to between 12 and 26 times the individual's weekly benefit amount, based on the unemployment rate in the prior calendar quarter, as follows: 12 times for an unemployment rate of 5 percent or less; 14 times for an unemployment rate of 5 to 5.5 percent; 16 times for an unemployment rate of 5.5 to 6 percent; 18 times for an unemployment rate of 6 to 6.5 percent; 20 times for an unemployment rate of 6.5 to 7 percent; 22 times for an unemployment rate of 7 to 7.5 percent; 24 times for an unemployment rate of 7.5 to 8 percent; and 26 times for an unemployment rate of over 8 percent.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/20/2025 9:39 AM

1/17 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
H - DP   - House Commerce

HB2540 - Statewide assessment; accommodations; written form
Sponsor: Rep. James Taylor (R)
Summary: Permits a school district or charter school to administer the statewide assessment in the form of a written test pursuant to an Individualized Education Program, or a Section 504 Plan, Pursuant to state law, or to accommodate special circumstances, or for religious purposes.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/20/2025 9:33 AM

1/17 Added to EW tracking

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 3:14 PM

1/27 EW recommend supporting

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
H - DP   - House Education

HB2660 - Affordable housing tax credits; extension
Sponsor: Rep. Justin Wilmeth (R)
Summary: Allows tax credits to a taxpayer for qualified projects, and qualified affordable housing projects, in the amount that the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADR) determines, pursuant to affordable housing tax credit requirements. Requires the ADR allocate $4,000,000 in tax credits for the calendar years of 2002 through 2025, and $10,000,000 in tax credits for the years 2026 through 2030 and stipulates that a credit claimed in 2026 may not be claimed until the federal FY beginning October 1, 2022. Extends selected ARS repeal dates to December 31, 2030 from December 31, 2025.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/20/2025 9:21 AM

1/17 Added to EW & BT tracking

Staff 2
  01/22/2025 3:13 PM

1/22 BT recommends supporting

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 2:10 PM

1/27 EW recommends supporting

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 2:10 PM

1/24 PA approved supporting

Last Action:
01/17/2025 
H - Introduced

HCR2003 - Expenditure limit; school districts; authorization
Sponsor: Rep. Matt Gress (R)
Summary: Authorizes upon the approval of at least 2/3 of the membership of each House of the Arizona legislature that in FY 2005-2026, school districts may spend local revenues in excess of the expenditure limitation prescribed pursuant to Article 9, section 21, constitution of Arizona.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/10/2025 3:26 PM

1/9 Added to BT & EW tracking

Staff 2
  01/22/2025 3:14 PM

1/22 BT recommends supporting

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 2:10 PM

1/27 EW recommends supporting

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 2:10 PM

1/24 PA approved supporting

Last Action:
01/21/2025 
H - House 2nd Read

HCR2031 - Land trust; distributions; common schools
Sponsor: Rep. David Livingston (R)
Summary: The 2026 general election ballot is to carry the question of whether to amend the constitution of Arizona, Article 10, Section 7 to set the permanent state school fund distribution rate at 5% of the average monthly market values of the fund for the immediately preceding five years. Also, the proposed amendment addresses legislative appropriations and distributions of monies, strikes distribution strategies in the past, and outlines how distributed funds are to be allocated, tracked, reported on, and spent. Contains a legislative intent that states the legislature intends to annually appropriate $72,000,000 from the Arizona State General Fund for basic state aid, in lieu of required appropriations strategies that are being repealed. (More.)
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/21/2025 8:30 AM

1/20 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
01/16/2025 
H - Introduced

HCR2047 - State land trust; permanent funds
Sponsor: Rep. Matt Gress (R)
Summary: The 2026 general election ballot is to carry the question of whether to amend the Arizona Constitution to constitutionally continue the Permanent State School Fund (Fund) annual distribution rate of 6.9% through FY2035 and revert all other permanent fund annual distribution rates to 2.5% beginning in FY2026, effective only if voters approve the statutory measure that establishes a statewide program to increase the base salary of all eligible teachers above the FY2025 base salary. Increases, for FY2025-26 to FY2034-35, the Fund's annual distribution rate to 6.9% (from 2.5%) of the average monthly market valuation of the Fund for the previous five calendar years.  Requires, for FY2025-36, any increase in expendable earnings that would otherwise go to the Classroom Site Fund that results from a distribution of more than 2.5% of the average monthly market valuation of the Fund for the immediately preceding five calendar years to be appropriated for the statewide program to increase the base salary of all eligible teachers. Reverts, beginning in FY 2035-36, the Fund's annual distribution to 2.5% of the average monthly market valuation of the Fund for the previous five calendar years.  Applies the requirement for the Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) to jointly notify outlined individuals that a reduction to the distribution is necessary to preserve the safety of the capital in a permanent fund if the value of the permanent fund for the immediately preceding five calendar years has decreased compared to the value of a permanent fund for the five-calendar-year period immediately preceding those five years; and the authorization for the Legislature, with approval of the Governor, to enact legislation that reduces the distribution for the next fiscal year to between 2.5% and 6.9% of the value of the Fund upon receipt of OSPB’s and JLBC’s notification, to the Fund's annual distributions in FY2026-35. Specifies that, beginning in FY 2026, the annual distribution of each permanent fund other than the Fund reverts to 2.5% of the average monthly market valuation of the permanent fund. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/31/2025 6:25 PM

1/31 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
01/28/2025 
H - Introduced

SB1020 - Disruption; educational institution; concealed weapon
Sponsor: Sen. Wendy Rogers (R)
Summary: Prohibits the governing board of any university, college or community college from enacting or enforcing any policy or rule that prohibited the possession of a concealed weapon by a person who possessed a valid concealed weapons permit, or that prohibited the transportation or storage of a firearm.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/10/2025 3:27 PM

1/9 Added to EW tracking

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 3:15 PM

1/27 EW recommends opposing

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
S - Senate Minority Caucus - Y

SB1028 - High school graduation; requirements
Sponsor: Sen. John Kavanagh (R)
Summary: Requires the Arizona Board of Education to prescribe competency requirements and the minimum performance level per the methodologies outlined. Requires the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to establish a process for determining the minimum academic performance levels and a schedule for administering a statewide assessment of academic performance statewide. Exempts students that obtain a passing score on an approved technical skills assessment test for a career or technical education program, or obtain an industry certification via a career or technical program approved by the ADE. Stipulates that the minimum assessment levels are required for graduates from high school in the state. Requires the governing Board to provide materials for students in grades 9, 10 or both, to allow them to prepare for the state assessment.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/10/2025 3:27 PM

1/9 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
01/28/2025 
S - Senate Minority Caucus - Y

SB1067 - Community college districts; tax rate
Sponsor: Sen. Mark Finchem (R)
Summary: Defines the process of putting a property tax rate increase before voters and the verbiage that must be on a general election ballot.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/15/2025 11:00 AM

1/14 Added to BT & EW tracking

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 3:16 PM

1/27 EW recommends opposing

Last Action:
01/16/2025 
S - Senate 2nd Read

SB1084 - Adult education programs; revisions; appropriation
Sponsor: Sen. Timothy "Tim" Dunn (R)
Summary: Appropriate $6,000,000 each from the Arizona State General Fund for FY 2025-2026 to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) for the Continuing High School and Workforce Training Program, the Adult Workforce Diploma Program Fund, and the Community College Adult Education Workforce Development Program, respectively, to be used to further each program’s mission. Permits the Arizona State Board of Education (ADBE) to approve program schools with a total projected full time enrollment of no more than 780. Requires approved program providers to report the number of currently enrolled students for whom invoices have been submitted and the number of currently enrolled students for whom invoices have not been submitted in monthly invoices pursuant to this legislation. Requires the ADE to provide a written update on the approved program providers by the last calendar day of each month and list the information that must be included in that report. Adds that eligible program applicants for adult education programs provide adult education and literacy activities to prepare adult learners for, or provide adult learners with access to, integrated education and training models, pursuant to state law. Requires the ABDE and ADE to accept applications between July 1 and June 30 annually, and to determine whether each program applicant meets the requirements of this legislation no later than six weeks after the receipt of a completed application. Adds that the ADE is required to distribute fund monies to all eligible program schools on a quarterly basis and breaks out funding allocations and limits. Defines how a program school must use the monies received pursuant to this legislation. Exempts appropriations in this legislation from lapsing of appropriations provisions. Contains an emergency clause.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/21/2025 8:27 AM

1/20 Added to EW tracking

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 3:17 PM

1/27 EW recommends supporting

Last Action:
01/22/2025 
S - Senate 2nd Read

SB1112 - Apprenticeship; supervised probation
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas "T.J." Shope (R)
Summary: Allows a probationer who is on supervised probation and participating in a state or federally recognized apprenticeship program to work at any hours of the day as long as the probationer remains in good standing with the apprenticeship program, and travel outside the jurisdiction in which the probationer resides to work in the apprenticeship program if the probationer returns to the jurisdiction by 11:59 p.m. each day
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/21/2025 8:23 AM

1/20 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
S - Senate Minority Caucus - Y

SB1157 - Workers' compensation; death benefits; remarriage
Sponsor: Sen. David Gowan (R)
Summary: Strikes the limit of remarriage as it applies to a spouse receiving the average monthly wage of a deceased person. Applies retroactively from January 1, 2024 for the spouses of first responders
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/27/2025 3:19 PM

1/27 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
01/23/2025 
S - Senate 2nd Read

SB1159 - Employment practices; wage claims
Sponsor: Sen. David Gowan (R)
Summary: Increases the amount threshold amount of a wage claim to $12,000 that an employee may file a written claim to the Industrial Commission of Arizona over, provided the claim is filed within one year of the accrual of the claim.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/21/2025 8:20 AM

1/20 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/03/2025 
S - DP   - Senate Finance

SB1247 - Arizona teachers academy; community colleges
Sponsor: Sen. David C. Farnsworth (R)
Summary: Modifies reporting requirements for the Arizona Board of Regents by removing the date reference and making the reporting an annual requirement. Alters the definition of “eligible postsecondary” to “eligible postsecondary institution” (defined).
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/24/2025 9:33 AM

1/24 Added to EW tracking

Staff 2
  01/27/2025 3:17 PM

1/27 EW recommends tentative support

Last Action:
01/30/2025 
S - Hearing Scheduled - 02/05/2025, 2:00 PM - Senate ED, SHR 1

SB1296 - Unemployment benefits; requirements; disqualifications; determinations
Sponsor: Sen. Mark Finchem (R)
Summary: Requires that an individual must be available for work to be eligible for unemployment benefits and actively seeks and applies for suitable work, conducts at least five work search actions each week, or, if the individual is applying for a weekly benefit, they provide a weekly report that details the individual’s work search actions for every week a benefit is sought. Prohibits the Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) from paying benefits for an initial or ongoing claim until the claim is cross checked against the National Association of State Workforce Agencies Integrity Data Hub, United States Department of Health and Human Services Directory of New Hires, Department of Economic Security’s New Hire Reporting System, Arizona Department of Corrections Inmate Database, Social Security Administration’s Prisoner Update Processing System, Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Vital Statistics Death Records Database, and the Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records Death Records Database. Prohibits ADES from paying any claim found to be ineligible or fraudulent and requires those instances to be referred for prosecution. Requires an individual to be disqualified for benefits if ADES finds the individual has failed to actively seek and apply for or accept suitable work if offered. Requires an employer to report to ADES when an individual who was previously employed with that employer refuses to return to work, refuses to accept an offer of suitable work, fails without cause to appear for a scheduled interview, or fails to respond to an offer of employment. Requires ADES to allow employers to submit reports digitally or through e-mail and to review each report to determine whether an individual should be disqualified from receiving benefits.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/28/2025 10:50 AM

1/28 Added to EW & IH tracking

Last Action:
SB1321 - Public schools; patriotic organizations
Sponsor: Sen. Wendy Rogers (R)
Summary: Prohibits a school district or charter school from discriminating against or preventing representatives of an eligible patriotic youth membership organization from engaging in “student recruitment” (defined), pursuant to this legislation, or impose limits on representatives of the organization relating to specific, listed activities. Permits a patriotic youth membership organization to engage in student recruitment, pursuant to this legislation, if it meets listed criteria. Requires a school district or charter school to schedule a date and time during which representatives of the organization may engage in activities listed in this legislation, and if the organization requests to speak with students, notify parents and guardians of the scheduled speaking engagement and provide parents and guardians the opportunity to opt their student out of the engagement.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/31/2025 6:20 PM

1/30 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/03/2025 

SB1358 - Charter schools; access; decision-making authority
Sponsor: Sen. David C. Farnsworth (R)
Summary: Permits, if appropriate, a “charter representative” (defined), “charter school governing body member” (defined) and “officer, director, member and partner” (defined) of a charter holder, to have access to the charter school’s students and student records, unrestricted access to the charter school’s campuses, authority to make final decisions regarding student learning in the charter school, and the safety of the charter school students and school campuses.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/31/2025 6:17 PM

1/31 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/03/2025 

SB1453 - University presidents; ABOR; maximum compensation
Sponsor: Sen. David C. Farnsworth (R)
Summary: Prohibits the Arizona Board of Regents from authorizing an annual salary of the president of any public college or university in excess of $500,000, and stipulates the maximum aggregate value of bonuses, incentives, and other compensation, including non-monetary compensation, may not exceed 15% of the president's annual salary. Permits a president to receive a bonus, incentive or other compensation, including non-monetary compensation, for performance that exceeds the president's assigned duties, and directly benefits the institution's students, staff or faculty. Applies to all employment contracts entered into or renewed after the effective date of this legislation.
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/31/2025 6:12 PM

1/31 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
S - Referred to Committee - Rules - Senate Rules

SB1473 - K-12; school funding; revisions
Sponsor: Sen. David C. Farnsworth (R)
Summary: Defines the ARS, formulas and scenarios to utilize when determining the appropriate state student funding formula. Strikes and updates various charter school funding formulas and scenarios. Outlines how elections to determine which school funding formula to use are to be run. Alters appropriate chapter headings in the ARS. Establishes the State Student Funding Formula and provides instruction on when and how to use the formula. Defines the base revenue control limit for school districts that elect to use the State Student Funding Formula. Defines applicable tax formulas and weights for school districts based on their choices in regards to school funding formulas. Outlines school incentives for parents to agree to specific state school funding schemes. (More.)
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/31/2025 6:10 PM

1/31 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/04/2025 
S - Referred to Committee - Rules - Senate Rules

SCR1015 - State land trust; permanent funds.
Sponsor: Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R)
Comment:
Staff 2
  01/31/2025 6:24 PM

1/30 Added to EW tracking

Last Action:
02/03/2025