state agencies; hiring practices; appeals

SB 1665, the "State Agency Hiring Reform Act," standardizes hiring practices for Arizona state agencies by requiring a transparent, three-part grading system (weighted experience/education/skills, interview panel score, and overall score out of 100) for all positions. It mandates that agencies complete the full hiring process within 90 days and provides candidates eliminated after both the weighted and interview scores a 3-day window to appeal if the process was violated or the hiring decision was arbitrary. The State Personnel Board reviews appeals and can order agencies to reopen hiring, modify job postings, or reconsider decisions. The law excludes the governor’s office and governor-appointed boards but allows direct hires only for candidates scoring 90+ (with appeal rights for all candidates).