HB 2456 removes zoning restrictions for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Arizona when they are colocated with a large industrial energy user that already has all required zoning approvals. It requires SMR developers to provide public notice and hold at least one public comment session in the affected county before construction. This bill directly affects SMR developers seeking to build facilities adjacent to existing industrial energy sites. The law does not create new regulations for SMRs but eliminates local zoning barriers under these specific conditions.
SB 1052 allows Arizona assisted living homes and centers to offer mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy to residents using FDA-cleared home-use chambers. It requires therapy to be provided only under a physician's order, with trained staff present during sessions, and mandates facilities to give residents a notice explaining the FDA-approved uses (limited to mild symptoms like acute mountain sickness) and risks of off-label use. The bill prohibits offering this therapy to residents needing directed care without specific physician approval and written informed consent. This directly affects assisted living facilities and their residents by establishing new safety and transparency requirements for this therapy.
SB 1074 requires school principals or designated administrators to provide teachers with written certification before allowing a temporarily removed student to return to the classroom. This certification must state authorization for readmission and describe any disciplinary action taken for the behavior that led to the removal. The bill directly affects teachers, school administrators, and students in Arizona public schools by adding this documentation step to classroom management procedures. It applies to any temporary removal from a classroom under existing school conduct rules, handbooks, or discipline policies.
SB 1099 requires health professionals to obtain written informed consent before prescribing or performing gender transition procedures, such as puberty-suppressing medications, cross-sex hormones, or surgeries. It mandates disclosure of specific risks - including uncertain long-term effects, potential infertility, bone density issues, surgical complications, and alternatives like therapy - before any procedure. Consent forms must be documented per state guidelines and retained for 15 years. The bill directly affects transgender patients seeking medical transition care and the healthcare providers who administer it, with civil liability for failing to meet these disclosure requirements.
SB 1021 updates Arizona's chiropractic regulations to strengthen patient record-keeping and transparency. It requires chiropractors to maintain detailed patient records - including health history, treatment plans, and visit notes - for at least six years, and prohibits failing to disclose financial interests when referring patients to other providers. The bill also mandates written notice to the board about record storage locations when a practice closes. These changes directly affect licensed chiropractors and chiropractic assistants by setting clear standards for documentation and accountability.
HB 2812 allows Arizona state and county employees in specific retirement systems (like the Arizona State Retirement System or public safety plans) to receive cash payments for unused sick leave upon retirement. Payments are calculated as 25% of an employee’s hourly rate for 500-750 hours, 33% for 750-1,000 hours, and 50% for 1,000+ hours (capped at $57,600 total). Employees may choose to receive payments as a lump sum or over three years, and the law specifies these payments do not count toward retirement benefits or salary calculations. The bill applies retroactively to certain university employees under the Arizona Board of Regents but excludes those receiving federal sick leave payments.
HB 2795 modifies Arizona law to allow small modular reactor (SMR) construction and operation by preventing local governments from restricting these projects under specific conditions. It requires SMR developers to obtain federal early site permits and design certifications, then submit proof of these to the county board of supervisors before local zoning rules can be overridden. This directly affects SMR developers and Arizona counties, ensuring federal approvals supersede local zoning for eligible projects. The law does not alter federal requirements but clarifies that counties cannot block SMR sites once the federal steps are completed and documented.
SB 1827 establishes Arizona's Office of Advanced Air Mobility within the governor's office to support the development of air mobility technology, such as electric air taxis and vertiports. The office will coordinate with industry, universities, and federal agencies, and receives $500,000 in fiscal year 2026-2027 for grants to Arizona-based companies advancing this technology. It must submit annual reports to the legislature starting in 2027. The bill directly affects Arizona businesses, researchers, and infrastructure developers working in advanced air mobility.
HB 2615 establishes new requirements for supervised parenting time in Arizona family court cases. It mandates professional supervision (by trained paid supervisors) in high-risk cases - such as those involving domestic violence, child abuse, or recent protection orders - or when parties have a history of such offenses. For lower-risk cases without protection orders, courts may allow nonprofessional supervision (by trained unpaid volunteers meeting basic standards). The bill specifies detailed qualifications for both supervisor types, including specialized training on trauma, domestic violence, and safety protocols, plus background checks and documentation standards. This directly affects courts, parents in custody disputes, and individuals appointed as supervisors.
SB 1461 allocates $15 million from Arizona's general fund for a new allied health workforce development program targeting roles like medical technicians and therapists (requiring specialized training beyond high school but less than a bachelor's degree). The program will fund a nonprofit meeting strict criteria, including prior training of 7,000+ students, partnerships with employers and schools, and operating in at least eight states. The nonprofit must commit to graduating 1,000 students annually through this initiative. This direct funding aims to expand training capacity for non-physician, non-nurse healthcare roles across Arizona.
This bill allows Arizona counties to assign qualified people who receive jury summons to serve as temporary election workers instead of jurors. Counties can determine eligibility, provide web-based training for these workers, and notify the jury commissioner after elections. It also adds a new excusal reason for people who served as election workers (e.g., inspector, clerk) within 180 days before receiving a jury summons. This directly affects individuals summoned for jury duty who are eligible for election work assignments.
SB 1656 updates Arizona family court procedures for appointing professional personnel (like social workers or therapists) in child custody cases. It requires courts to hold evidentiary hearings before appointment, provide parents with detailed written notices about the professional’s scope, costs, and reporting timeline, and mandate audio/video recordings of all interactions. The bill ensures appointed professionals must be licensed and in good standing, with complaints directed to their licensing agency rather than the court. Parents gain the right to object to appointments, request clarifications on reports, and pursue civil claims for ethical violations within four years. This directly affects families in custody disputes, courts managing such cases, and the professionals appointed to assess child welfare.
