Ahead of a week-long recess, the Arizona House Republican Majority Caucus is proud to report the passage of strong solutions on dozens of key issues.
Health — Access to health care remains a concern. Representative Selina Bliss’ HB 2043 passed the Senate this week. It expands access, critical for underserved areas, by allowing qualifying Physician Assistants to practice without a supervision agreement. Two other House bills expanding access were signed into law this week. HB 2473 (Representative Steve Montenegro) expands scope of practice for dental hygienists and HB 2589 (Representative Kevin Payne) grants reciprocal EMT certification to individuals who received comparable military training.
Education — Parents of students stuck in failing school districts deserve to know their child’s options. HB 2539 (Representative Beverly Pingerelli) would notify parents if their school receives a failing grade and give them information about their school options. Protecting our students against gun violence is critical. HB 2332 (Representative Selina Bliss) protects students by requiring schools to provide grade 6-12 students with age-appropriate firearms safety and accident prevention training. Both bills passed the Senate this week.
Crime & Safety — Cracking down on fraud loopholes, HB 2297 (Representative Neal Carter) allows fraud to be prosecuted across state and city limits. Fentanyl trafficking has become an epidemic. HB 2469 (Representative Steve Montenegro) declares fentanyl trafficking across the border a public health crisis, requiring the Department of Health Services to do everything within its authority to address it. Along with fentanyl trafficking, human smuggling is rampant at the border. HB 2485 (Representative Kevin Payne) increases minimum sentencing penalty for those who lie in wait and commit aggravated assault on a police officer. HB 2759 (Representative John Gillette) stops the state from incorporating the business of someone convicted of certain trafficking offenses. All these bills passed the Senate this week. Several House bills protecting the public against crime were signed into law, including HB 2066 (Representative Neal Carter) requiring your former banks and financial institutions to erase your personal information when you are no longer their customer and HB 2446 (Representative Teresa Martinez) allowing joint Fire and EMT services to receive funding from the Smart and Safe Fund.
Protecting Children — Children taken away from their families are in a vulnerable place and need support. When a child is taken into DCS custody under dangerous or emergency circumstances, Representative Barbara Parker’s HB 2516 requires that they receive a forensic interview by a trained individual. This bill passed the Senate Committee of the Whole. HB 2312 (Representative Rachel Jones) strengthening requirements for finding the relatives of children taken into DCS custody passed the Senate.
Water — Water is a necessity for life. Two bills protecting water resources and access passed the Senate Rules Committee this week. HB 2445 (Representative Gail Griffin) protects Arizona families’ water access by expanding the legal definition of subdivision so that more new homes are required to have an assured water supply. HB 2623 (Representative Leo Biasiucci) invests in Mohave County Sheriff Substation improvements. HCR 2012 (Representative Gail Griffin) expressing the Legislature’s support for appropriate water management practices and policies that protect property and water rights passed the Senate Committee of the Whole.
Follow the accomplishments of the Majority on Twitter @AZHouseGOP.
