Our 7th year, week 21
This week, the legislature returned to the Arizona Capitol, ending a one-month recess. The assumption was that they would get a lot done during this week, but that did not happen.
The legislative activity was limited to passing a few housekeeping bills that do not get much attention, but they also conducted two important committee hearings, one by the interim committee Joint Legislative Audit Committee , chaired by Rep. Matt Gress, and the other by the Ad Hoc Committee on Elderly Abuse, chaired by Sen. Mark Finchem.
Even though most of the bills acted upon were not the type that most people would either cheer or criticize, there were two exceptions, HB4001 and HB2749
HB4001: This bill, introduced by Rep. Jeff Wenninger, creates new protections against underage nicotine sales and stronger accountability for manufacturers and distributors. According to Rep. Wenninger,
“No parent wants to see nicotine products ending up in the hands of high school kids because someone decided checking an ID was optional. HB 4001 increases penalties for illegal sales, gives regulators stronger enforcement tools, and protects businesses that follow the rules. If you are selling nicotine products to minors, Arizona is no longer going to look the other way.”
HB2749: Rep. Tony Rivero was the sponsor of this bill, which allows a court to designate certain class 4, 5, or 6 felony convictions as class 1 misdemeanors, but only under strict conditions.
In a rare show of bipartisan support, HB2749 passed both the House and the Senate unanimously. This is what Rep. Rivero about it:
“HB 2749 is about accountability, redemption, and common sense. When someone commits a nonviolent, victimless offense, pays their debt, completes every requirement ordered by the court, and proves for years that they are living the right way, Arizona should not force that person to carry a felony label forever. This bill protects public safety, excludes victim crimes, and gives deserving people a fair chance to work, find housing, support their families, and fully rejoin their communities.”
Both HB4001 and HB2749 have been signed by the governor.
The hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee accomplished two major tasks. First, there were reports on the progress of two school districts in connection with their noncompliance status with the Uniform System of Financial Records for Arizona School Districts (USFR). Both districts involved, Topock and Valentine Elementary School Districts, reported progress toward compliance.
The most significant result of this hearing was the committee voted to direct the Arizona Auditor General to conduct two special audits focused on student safety and the use of taxpayer dollars. One involved the Phoenix Union High School District and the other involved federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).
More information is available HERE
The other hearing this week, that of the Ad Hoc Committee on Elderly Abuse, produced a litany of testimony by citizens about instances of elderly abuse. It is very likely that there will be some referrals, possibly criminal, to law enforcement agencies.
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