SB 1247: Arizona teachers academy; community colleges - Arizona

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version · 6 edits · Jun 19, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift from establishing a teacher training scholarship program to enacting strict tobacco control measures. The new version raises the legal smoking age to 21, criminalizes selling tobacco to minors, and adds specific exemptions for active-duty military personnel under 21.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed entirely from education funding to public health regulation. It now covers the sale, possession, and use of tobacco and vapor products by minors and adults, replacing the previous focus on teacher academy scholarships.

SCOPE

All provisions regarding the Arizona Teachers Academy, including tuition scholarships, service commitments, and funding mechanisms, were removed.

REQUIREMENT

New laws prohibit selling, giving, or furnishing tobacco or vapor products to anyone under 21 years of age.

New restrictions were added prohibiting the sale of tobacco products through vending machines unless located in a bar or a non-public employee lounge.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations by vendors are now classified as petty offenses or misdemeanors, and minors caught with tobacco face fines or community restitution.

DEFINITION

Specific definitions were added for 'shisha,' 'tobacco product,' and 'vapor product' to clarify what items are regulated.

ELIGIBILITY

An exemption was created allowing active-duty military personnel aged 18 to 20 to possess and use tobacco products if authorized by military regulations.

Senate Engrossed Version → Chaptered Version · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill completely replaced the original Senate Bill 1247, which dealt with teacher training scholarships, with a new bill focused on tobacco and vaping product regulations for minors and military personnel. The original bill's provisions regarding teacher academy scholarships, service commitments, and funding have been entirely removed and replaced with new statutes regulating tobacco sales, possession by minors, and exceptions for active military members.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from teacher education and scholarship programs to tobacco and vaping product regulation, including age restrictions, sales prohibitions, and military personnel exceptions.

SCOPE

All provisions related to the Arizona teachers academy, teacher preparation scholarships, service commitments, and funding for teacher training programs were removed.

New statutes were added to regulate the sale, furnishing, and possession of tobacco products, vapor products, and related paraphernalia by minors and adults.

The bill title was changed from 'Arizona teachers academy' to 'tobacco use; sale; minimum age,' reflecting the complete change in subject matter.

ELIGIBILITY

New provisions establish that minors under 21 cannot purchase, possess, or receive tobacco products, with exceptions for religious use and gifts not intended for smoking.

New provisions allow active military personnel aged 18-21 to possess and use tobacco products if authorized by military regulations and they hold valid military identification.

ENFORCEMENT

New penalties were established including petty offenses for selling to minors, fines for minors who violate tobacco laws, and misdemeanor charges for vendors who sell beedies or bidis to minors.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'shisha,' 'tobacco product,' and 'vapor product' to clarify what items are covered by the regulations.

House Engrossed Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 7 edits · Jun 19, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was completely rewritten to shift from a tobacco age restriction law to a teacher recruitment and scholarship program. The original version focused on prohibiting tobacco sales to minors and regulating vending machines, while the new version establishes the Arizona Teachers Academy to provide scholarships and incentives for students to pursue teaching careers in Arizona public schools.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from tobacco regulation to teacher education and recruitment, affecting postsecondary institutions and prospective teachers instead of tobacco vendors and minors.

SCOPE

All tobacco-related provisions including age restrictions on sales, possession, and use of tobacco products were removed.

New program establishes Arizona Teachers Academy to incentivize students to enter teaching profession and commit to teaching in Arizona public schools.

FISCAL

Created Arizona Teachers Academy Fund with tuition and fee scholarships for eligible students covering up to two years for graduate students, four years for undergraduates, and two years for community college students.

REQUIREMENT

Added service obligation requirements where scholarship recipients must teach one full school year in Arizona public schools after graduation.

DEFINITION

Established new definitions for eligible postsecondary institutions and schools serving primarily public school students with disabilities.

ENFORCEMENT

Added reimbursement requirements for students who fail to complete academic years or fulfill teaching obligations.

TIMELINE

Changed reporting requirements from tobacco-related enforcement to annual reporting on academy enrollment, graduation, and scholarship usage.

Arizona teachers academy; community colleges

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