The activity at the capitol this week was feverish. This was the last week for bills to be heard in their original chamber committees, except for appropriations and rules, both of which get an extra week.
However, the most significant news dealt with the legislature’s oversight, rather than legislative, duties.
On Monday, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) held a hearing at which the Arizona Auditor General presented the results of their 2023 Financial Investigations.
These investigations uncovered more than $1.8 million in loses and 34 criminal charges against 5 individuals within Arizona State University, K-12 school districts, and the Department of Education. This is not good news for the education establishment, and one very powerful reason for the need to support school choice via Empowerment Scholarship Accounts.
See related article HERE
The week’s legislative activity, although fast and furious, was pretty much routine. Among the bills that we are watching because we consider them most important and controversial, most advanced, but there were some exceptions:
| HB2181 – national guard; active duty combat | House Military Affairs & Public Safety | FAILED |
| SB1313 – DCS; discharge from care; housing | Senate Transportation, Technology and Missing Children | HELD |
| SB1354 – ESAs; children with disabilities; requirements | Senate Education | FAILED |
| SCR1043 – cities; towns; elections | Senate Elections | HELD |
Among those bills that did not make it, one warrants further comment. SB1354, introduced by Democrat Christine Marsh, would have undermined the current prohibition against undue regulation of private schools and homeschooling. Had this bill advanced, it would have set a very dangerous precedent.
Looking ahead to next week, there will be a lot of activity, but most of it will be in the form of full chamber votes (third readings), for which the public receives very little, if any, advance notice.
One bill that stands out is SCR1022. This bill is a voter referral to amend the AZ constitution regarding the regulation of lawyers. We are not fans of amending the constitution by a simple majority of those who voted, especially when the same result could be accomplished by amending current statutes.
However, we feel justified in supporting SCR1022 because its main thrust is to remove the regulation of lawyers from the hands of the State Bar Association. Previous attempts via legislation have been defeated by powerful entities that wish lawyers ability to practice to remain controlled by what amounts to a lawyer’s union. This is contrary to the principle of a right-to-work state.