This committee will work with the Board of Directors on issues and initiatives important to our economy, businesses, and the community. The scope of work will focus on Education & Workforce, Transportation & Infrastructure, Taxation, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, Economic Prosperity, Military Assets, and Natural Resources.

Legislative Update: April 15, 2024



The 14^th week of Arizona’s 2024 Legislative Session has wrapped up. Of the over 1,700 bills introduced, 154 have been signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs and 29 have been vetoed.

Budget Status

The pace of the session has slowed considerably as the Legislative Leadership waited for the AZ Department of Revenue data on the tax receipts to determine the actual amount of the deficit. Those numbers were released earlier and the budget deficit is at 1.3 billion down from the projected 1.7 billion shortfall over the next two years. With that information, the Legislature will now pick up the pace of meetings with the Governor’s Office to agree on a budget.

WVCCA Priority Bills

Three of the Alliance’s priority bills were signed or vetoed by the Governor in the last two weeks. They include the following:

HB2040, Event Online Ticket Sales-Signed

HB2055, Underground Water Storage; Permitting-Signed

HB2194, Ticket Resales, Restrictions-Signed

HB2309, GPLET Agreement Posting; Abatement Period- Vetoed

HB1296, Credit Unions; Formation; Loans: Memberships-Signed

Abortion Bill Status

On Tuesday this week, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the 1864 near-total abortion ban was enforceable. This decision, in essence, stated that the 1864 ban was never repealed and, because of this, the pre-statehood ban was still the law of the land. Widespread political backlash for this Supreme Court ruling made state and national headlines all week. On Wednesday, when the Legislature convened, there were two separate motions to bring HB 2677 (abortion ban; repeal) to an immediate vote. This bill would repeal the 1864 abortion ban and is sponsored by Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D-LD21). Both motions were blocked, first by a substitute motion to recess and then by a substitute motion to adjourn entirely until Wednesday, April 17^th. The motion to adjourn passed almost along party lines (30-29), and the House of Representatives adjourned without voting on HB 2677.

As of now, Governor Hobb’s executive order on Protecting Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare in Arizona is still in place. This executive order gives Attorney General Kris Mayes jurisdiction over attempted prosecutions for violating state abortion laws. AG Mayes released a statement following the ruling which concluded with her saying: “And let me be completely clear, as long as I am Attorney General, no woman or doctor will be prosecuted under this draconian law in this state.”

Important Dates for the Upcoming State and Local Elections

Our state Representatives and Senators are all up for reelection this year! There will be lots more information to come about who is running and where they stand on key issues.

Additionally, with the primary and general elections rapidly approaching, here are a couple of important dates to keep in mind: 

The May local elections will take place on May 21st, and the deadline to register to vote in time for this election is April 22nd.

The Primary election is on July 30th, and the deadline to register to vote in time for this election is July 1st.

The General election is on November 5th, and the deadline to register to vote in time for this election isOctober 7th. 

For this upcoming election, there are also several ballot initiatives collecting signatures in hopes of being put on the ballot. The deadline for these initiatives to collect and turn in signatures is July 3^rd. Ballot initiatives that create legislation must have over 255,949 signatures and ballot initiatives that create constitutional amendments must have over 383,923 signatures. Notably, one of the initiatives collecting signatures this year would include the right to abortion access in the Arizona State Constitution. For more information on the initiatives, click here. 

The Legislature is continuing to only meet on Wednesdays. Because of this, calendars in the House and the Senate are expected to be released on Tuesdays. It is expected that they Floor calendars will continue to be very light as the vast majority of bills have been through Third Read or are no longer viable. Attached are the Legislative Report and Bill Chart. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.