Education

failed · Arizona · Senate Jun 12, 2026

SB 1004: ESA students; interscholastic activities; requirements

SB 1004 allows Arizona students using Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) to participate in school district sports and activities on the same terms as enrolled students. School districts must apply identical eligibility rules, fees (capped at the student’s pro rata share of costs), and academic requirements - such as passing grades and progress - to ESA students as they do for enrolled students. The bill prohibits districts from charging ESA students more than their fair share of activity costs or contracting with organizations that exclude ESA students. It also bars ESA students from participating if they were enrolled in district schools, multiple private schools, or a private school offering the activity during the same school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates equal access to school sports/activities for ESA students by requiring identical eligibility rules and capped fees, expanding educational access for non-traditional students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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failed · Arizona · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 1424: firearm safety instruction; public schools

SB 1424 requires Arizona public schools to provide annual, age-appropriate firearm safety instruction to students in kindergarten through 12th grade starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The instruction must focus solely on accident prevention and personal safety - covering safe storage, actions to take if encountering a firearm, and risks of unsafe handling - while explicitly prohibiting live firearms, ammunition, or any training on firearm use. The Arizona Department of Education will develop neutral, fact-based instructional materials in collaboration with public safety agencies, and schools must make all materials available for parental review. The bill does not regulate firearm ownership or possession, nor does it promote or discourage firearm ownership.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual firearm safety curriculum in K-12 schools, enhancing student safety education as part of required school programs without restricting existing educational focus.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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failed · Arizona · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 1009: high school students; AED training

SB 1009 requires Arizona high schools to provide all students with mandatory training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use during high school. The training must be age-appropriate, based on current national guidelines, and include hands-on practice (except for online students). Schools may accept donations for materials and must allow exemptions for students with parental consent, prior certification, or individualized education program accommodations. This policy directly affects all Arizona public high school students and mandates training through certified providers like EMTs, Red Cross representatives, or school staff.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mandatory CPR/AED training in high school curriculum, enhancing student health education programs and safety preparedness within K-12 schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates CPR/AED training in high schools as a public health initiative to improve emergency response and save lives, directly advancing healthcare preparedness.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2032: statewide assessment; testing window; revisions

HB 2032 requires Arizona third graders to demonstrate sufficient reading skills on the statewide assessment to advance to fourth grade. If a student does not meet this standard, they may be retained, but only if test data is available and they haven't been retained before. The bill allows exceptions for English learners, students with special education needs (including dyslexia), or those showing progress through approved assessments. Schools must offer multiple evidence-based reading interventions, provide detailed parent notifications about reading deficiencies, and report retention and intervention data to the state education department. This bill directly affects third graders, Arizona public schools, and their parents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires 3rd graders to meet reading proficiency for promotion with evidence-based interventions, reinforcing academic standards for K-12 student advancement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

vetoed · Arizona · House May 5, 2026

HB 4146: 2026-2027; higher education.

This bill proposes changes to Arizona's higher education funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allows the state to match less than one dollar for every dollar collected from student registration fee surcharges and sets the specific amounts for state aid to community colleges for STEM and workforce programs. Additionally, it defines the limits for general operating state aid provided to community college districts. The legislation was vetoed by the Governor on May 5, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes funding limits and state aid amounts for higher education, directly addressing budget appropriations for public services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes funding limits for community college STEM and workforce programs, indicating an intent to allocate state resources to higher education.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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vetoed · Arizona · House May 5, 2026

HB 4148: 2026-2027; K-12 education.

This bill amends Arizona state law to clarify how public funds are distributed to charter schools sponsored by state agencies, universities, or community colleges. It establishes specific rules for calculating financial support, including adjustments for small schools and provisions to prevent double-counting funds if a student is enrolled in both a charter and a traditional public school. Additionally, the legislation requires these schools to revise their student counts and budgets by mid-May and ensures that any grants received for basic operations reduce the state's financial contribution to avoid taxpayer duplication.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies funding distribution to charter schools and prevents double-counting, ensuring public funds are properly allocated to education services.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies funding distribution and prevents double-counting to ensure charter schools receive appropriate public funds, strengthening financial stability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed both · Arizona · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1413: technical correction; veterans; tuition deferment

SB 1413 amends Arizona law to clarify and update the existing veterans' tuition deferment program. It allows eligible veterans to defer payment for tuition, fees, and required books/materials for up to 120 days while awaiting federal VA education benefits, requiring only a no-interest promissory note. If VA benefits haven't arrived by the 120-day deadline, the deferment may be extended until benefits are received. Colleges may withhold grades or transfer credits until the deferred amount is paid. This bill directly affects veterans enrolled in Arizona state colleges or universities who are waiting for VA benefit disbursements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies veterans' tuition deferment, enabling access to higher education by deferring payments until VA benefits arrive, expanding access for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies veterans' tuition deferment program, allowing 120-day deferment (extendable) while awaiting VA benefits, reducing financial burden on veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2033: statewide assessment; written form; requirements

HB 2033 requires Arizona's state board of education to implement uniform statewide assessments in reading, writing, and math for at least four grades annually, while prohibiting assessments that promote sectarian or partisan views. It mandates collecting specific nontest data (like graduation/dropout rates by ethnicity) through surveys of school staff, with strict privacy protections under FERPA. The bill allows students to opt out of district assessments if they provide scores from nationally recognized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT) before testing begins. Additionally, it permits written tests for students with IEPs/504 plans, religious accommodations, or parent requests. This directly affects public schools, students, and educators by standardizing testing requirements and data collection.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates uniform statewide assessments in core subjects with prohibitions on sectarian/partisan content and opt-out option for nationally recognized tests, supporting educational accountability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates FERPA-compliant data privacy protections for student assessment data collection85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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signed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2370: schools; weapons detection systems; administration

HB 2370 amends Arizona's charter school laws to strengthen background checks for school staff. It requires all charter school applicants and personnel with student contact (including teachers, administrators, and governing board members) to undergo fingerprint-based criminal background checks before employment. The bill mandates that charter schools verify applicants have valid fingerprint clearance cards issued under Arizona law, and schools must report arrests for certain offenses involving staff with clearance cards. This directly affects charter school applicants, staff, and sponsors by adding specific screening requirements before charter approval and hiring. (Note: The bill title mentions "weapons detection systems," but the actual text focuses solely on background checks, not security technology.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens school staff background checks for safety, directly protecting students and staff in K-12 settings per education topic description.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2378: school facilities oversight board; members

HB 2378 establishes a School Facilities Oversight Board to review and oversee public school construction and renovation projects in Arizona. The board, composed of 10 appointed members including taxpayer representatives, architects, engineers, construction company owners, and business community members, must maintain geographic and public-private balance. The bill requires the state division to set policies for expediting change order approvals (within two business days), annually notifying school districts about available funding through a public website, and maintaining a list of facilities management contacts at each district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes School Facilities Oversight Board to manage construction/renovation projects, directly improving school infrastructure as an indicator of support.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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