SB 1503 requires Arizona public pension funds to vote shares solely in the economic interest of plan participants and beneficiaries, directly affecting state-run pension managers and proxy advisory firms. It mandates that if a pension fund votes against a company's board recommendation (with majority independent directors), it must provide a documented economic analysis proving the vote aligns with financial goals, not environmental or ideological aims. Funds must annually report such votes and analyses to the state treasurer and back-test their economic models every three years to ensure accuracy. The bill prohibits using votes to advance non-financial goals unless an economic analysis confirms financial benefits, with strict certification requirements for all documentation.
SB 1056 requires most Arizona state agencies to annually report vacant full-time positions that have remained unfilled for 150 days or longer, along with detailed staffing and salary data broken down by retirement system and employee tier. Agencies must eliminate these long-vacant positions each fiscal year, adjusting their allocated staff numbers to reflect the reduction. The law applies to state departments, boards, and agencies that handle state funds, excluding the Arizona Board of Regents, universities, community colleges, and the Departments of Corrections and Public Safety. This aims to align state budgets with actual staffing levels by removing unfilled positions that have remained vacant for extended periods.
