Education

signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2621: public schools; special education; access

HB 2621 ensures students in unorganized territories (areas without established school districts) and homeschoolers with disabilities can access special education services. It requires school districts contacted by parents to conduct screenings, evaluations, and provide a free public education if a child qualifies under federal law. The bill mandates that tribal early intervention programs notify school superintendents when children turn 30 months to begin transition planning, and assigns the closest school district to evaluate children by their third birthday. Homeschoolers with disabilities retain federal rights to evaluations and equitable services, while the state education department must investigate violations and publish annual reports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to special education services for unorganized territories and homeschoolers with disabilities, mandating screenings, evaluations, and transition planning per federal law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2764: computer science proficiency; state seal

HB 2764 establishes a voluntary Arizona state seal to recognize high school students who demonstrate computer science proficiency upon graduation. Participating public school districts or charter schools will add this seal to diplomas and note it on transcripts for students meeting state-set minimum requirements. The superintendent of public instruction will create the seal and collaborate with the state board of education to define the proficiency standards. This program affects only students in schools that choose to join, with no mandatory participation for districts or schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates voluntary state seal recognizing computer science proficiency, enhancing student educational opportunities and curriculum recognition in K-12.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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 Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Arizona · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1754: ADE; special education; parent complaints

SB 1754 clarifies Arizona's process for handling parent complaints about school districts' special education services. It requires the state education department to post complaint investigation reports online within 60 days (after redacting personal information), excluding them from "student level data" rules. The bill defines when complaints are "does-not-qualify" (e.g., if the student isn't a child with a disability or allegations don't violate special education laws). It also mandates that department policies for complaint handling include public comment periods starting December 2026. This directly affects parents filing complaints, school districts responding to them, and the state education department managing the process.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies complaint process for special education, enhancing accountability and access for students with disabilities, supporting educational quality and service delivery.70% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2093: mental health instruction requirement; repeal

HB 2093 repeals Arizona Revised Statutes Section 15-701.03, which previously required mental health instruction in certain educational settings. This bill removes a mandate that likely affected school districts and educational programs by eliminating the requirement for specific mental health curriculum. The repeal directly impacts schools and educational institutions previously subject to this instruction requirement. No new provisions are added; the bill solely eliminates the existing statutory requirement.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRepeals mandatory mental health curriculum requirement, removing an educational mandate from schools without replacement.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals mental health instruction mandate in schools, weakening mandated mental health education in educational settings, directly restricting a healthcare-related requirement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Education

vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2600: schools; clubs; organizations; parental consent

Arizona's HB 2600 requires public schools to obtain written parental permission before allowing students in grades six through eight to join any school-affiliated club or organization. The bill mandates that schools must describe the club's purpose, activities, and supporters when requesting this consent. It directly affects middle school students and their parents, with schools responsible for implementing the requirement. The law applies to all student clubs, teams, or similar groups primarily composed of students from the same public school. This policy change shifts decision-making authority for club participation from students to parents for this specific age group.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRequires parental consent for middle school clubs, restricting student access to school programs without parental permission.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2117: natural resource conservation board; fund

HB 2117 redirects $17 of the $25 annual fee for Arizona's environmental special license plates into a dedicated fund. The state natural resource conservation board will distribute $5,000 to $10,000 annually to each natural resource conservation district with an established education center. These funds must support environmental education programs that are scientifically based and address economic and social implications. The bill specifies that funds are exclusively for conservation education programs at local districts, without changing the plate fee structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $17 of license plate fee into dedicated fund for conservation education programs, advancing fiscal allocation for environmental education within budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects $17 annual fee to fund environmental education programs at conservation districts with specific requirements for scientifically-based curriculum.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects $17 of license plate fees to conservation education fund, mandating scientifically based environmental programs addressing conservation. Explicitly funds conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Arizona · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 1430: tax corrections act of 2026

SB 1430, the "Tax Corrections Act of 2026," amends Arizona's retail tax code to clarify and correct exemptions from the sales tax. It adds 25 specific exemptions, including sales of medical equipment (like prosthetics, hearing aids, and durable medical devices), prescription drugs, food, textbooks, and nonprofit sales. This directly affects businesses selling these items by ensuring they are exempt from the tax, resolving prior ambiguities in the code. The bill is a technical correction to the tax code, not a change in tax rates or policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds tax exemptions for essential items (medical equipment, food, textbooks), providing direct tax relief and resolving ambiguities in the retail tax code.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts textbooks from sales tax, reducing costs for schools and students purchasing educational materials.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts medical equipment (prosthetics, hearing aids) and prescription drugs from sales tax, reducing patient costs and improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education