SB 1157 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

workers' compensation; death benefits; remarriage

SB 1157 amends Arizona's workers' compensation law to apply existing death benefit rules retroactively to spouses of first responders, effective December 31, 2023. It directly affects spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and volunteer first responders acting in official capacity. The bill does not change benefit calculations (e.g., percentages for spouses or children) but ensures these rules apply to first responders' spouses for deaths occurring after the retroactive date. It specifically defines "first responder" to include volunteers operating under governmental emergency response authority. The legislation passed in June 2025 and applies to cases where the deceased was a first responder.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Jun 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 4 edits · Mar 17, 2025

MODERATE

This bill modifies Arizona's death benefits statute for first responders, clarifying payment terms for surviving spouses and children, and changing the retroactive application date for benefit eligibility. The changes affect how long benefits are paid and when they can be claimed retroactively.

Scope change

The bill changes the retroactive application date for first responder death benefits from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2023, and modifies eligibility conditions for surviving spouses and children.

TIMELINE

Changed retroactive application date for first responder death benefits from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2023

ELIGIBILITY

Modified payment conditions for surviving spouses, including changes to remarriage benefit calculations and duration

Adjusted benefit eligibility for surviving children, including age thresholds and student status provisions

DEFINITION

Reorganized statutory language regarding first responder death benefit distribution across different family member categories

Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2025 · House Jun 11, 2025

How they voted

24–3

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 30

Mar 17, 2025

D Democratic13

10 Yea 3

76% Yea

R Republican17

14 Yea 3 Nay

82% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Jun 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Jun 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors