SB 1515 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

industrial commission; revisions

SB 1515 revises Arizona's Industrial Commission statutes to update the agency's authority and create a new resource officer position. The bill amends the commission's general powers to clarify its role in handling confidential information exchanges with other agencies and promoting dispute resolution between employers and employees. It also establishes a resource officer to help workers understand workers' compensation benefits and procedures without providing legal advice. Additionally, the bill clarifies key definitions (like "employer" and "commission") to ensure consistent application of workplace safety and compensation laws. These changes aim to improve the commission's efficiency and accessibility for Arizona workers and employers.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 9, 2026 Last action Apr 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version → Senate Engrossed Version (03/03/2026) · 6 edits · Mar 3, 2026

MODERATE

This bill was significantly rewritten to shift its focus from a budget stabilization fund for public safety to a comprehensive occupational safety and health program for the Industrial Commission. The changes establish new definitions for workplace violations, create a specialized division for safety inspections, and outline procedures for handling claims involving employees with pre-existing conditions.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from managing state general fund surpluses for public safety retention pay to regulating workplace safety, enforcing safety standards, and managing workers' compensation claims for pre-existing impairments.

SCOPE

The primary purpose changed from a budget stabilization mechanism to establishing and enforcing occupational safety and health standards across all industries.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added to classify violations as 'serious' or 'non-serious' and to define specific workplace hazards and trade secrets.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added for the commission to appoint a chief of a new occupational safety and health division and to conduct regular workplace inspections.

ELIGIBILITY

Workers' compensation reimbursement rules were modified to specifically cover employees with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, and heart disease when they suffer additional injuries.

ENFORCEMENT

New enforcement mechanisms were added, including the authority to issue citations, assess civil penalties, and seek court injunctions against employers who refuse inspections.

FISCAL

Provisions regarding the 'budget stabilization fund' and 'public safety parity fund' were removed entirely, as the bill no longer addresses those specific financial mechanisms.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

30–0

Passed

Total votes 30

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic13

13 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican17

17 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA/SE

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors