HB 2082 establishes a state fund for childhood cancer and rare childhood disease research, managed by a new commission. It allocates monies to Arizona-based nonprofit health care providers and research institutions conducting early-stage clinical trials for pediatric cancers or rare diseases, allowing collaboration with out-of-state facilities. The commission - comprising childhood cancer survivors, caregivers, medical experts, and advocacy representatives - awards grants, recuses members with conflicts of interest, and must report annual grant details and research outcomes to lawmakers starting in 2027. The fund, exempt from typical budget lapse rules, is financed through legislative appropriations, donations, and a specific fee (with the first $32,000 reimbursing the fee payer).
HB 2096 creates a program for Arizona counties to receive **forgivable financial assistance** from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to remediate cesspools posing risks to water quality, groundwater, or public health. It directly affects counties with high-risk cesspools, prioritizing projects in groundwater vulnerability zones, near surface waters, or in low-to-moderate income communities. Key provisions include: forgivable principal (no repayment required) for replacing cesspools with approved on-site systems or sewer connections, no voter approval needed for this assistance (unlike standard loans), and mandatory coordination with the Department of Environmental Quality. Counties must use funds exclusively for eliminating existing cesspools and cannot apply income-based eligibility to abandoned properties. The bill is proposed legislation (prefiled in 2025) and not yet enacted.
This bill amends Arizona state law to establish a specific order for how money from the state lottery fund is spent each year. It requires that funds first cover lottery operating costs and bond debt payments, followed by fixed annual allocations to various programs such as the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, child safety, health education, and disease control. The legislation also mandates that a minimum amount be deposited into the state general fund before other specific grants, like those for homeless shelters or university capital improvements, can be distributed. Ultimately, any remaining lottery money after these required payments and allocations must be sent to the state general fund.
HB 2179 amends Arizona law to expand legal immunity for health professionals and institutions during public health emergencies, including air ambulance attendants. The bill protects those acting in good faith - such as delaying non-urgent care or altering treatment due to pandemic-related resource shortages - from civil liability, unless proven to have acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct. It specifically includes "air ambulance attendants" in the definition of health professionals covered under emergency care immunity provisions (Section 32-1471). The bill applies to actions taken on or after March 11, 2020, related to the pandemic state of emergency. It does not create new air ambulance services but clarifies protections for existing personnel providing emergency care.
HB 2177 requires Arizona's health director to annually seek federal Medicaid waivers to restore coverage for specific health services provided to American Indian and Alaska Native members at tribal or Indian health facilities. The bill specifically aims to cover services eliminated, reduced, or limited in Arizona's Medicaid plan after September 2010, including medically necessary dental care. It directly affects tribal health facilities and enrolled members who receive care through these providers under federal law. The key mechanism is mandating annual waiver applications to authorize state payments for these previously excluded services, ensuring tribal facilities can bill Medicaid for covered care.
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.
SB 1216 requires Arizona employers (including state and local governments) to provide up to 12 paid counseling visits for public safety employees exposed to specific traumatic events while on duty, such as witnessing death/maiming, responding to dangerous child crimes, or life-threatening rescues. It excludes police officers and firefighters but covers roles like 911 dispatchers, crime scene technicians, probation officers, and juvenile detention officers. Employers must track participation, missed work, and workers' compensation claims related to the program, reporting annual data to the state. The bill repeals prior laws that set different visit limits (e.g., six visits annually before 2017) and defines "licensed counseling" by specific mental health professional standards.
HB 2072 establishes a voluntary certification program for lactation care providers in Arizona. It creates a "state-certified lactation care provider" designation requiring applicants to hold an existing approved certification (like IBCLC or indigenous certification), meet age and fingerprinting requirements, and pay fees. The Department of Health Services will administer the program, including setting scope of practice standards and handling renewals, while the bill explicitly states certification is not mandatory for practice. The law also prohibits government preference for certified providers in public contracts and creates an advisory committee of lactation providers to assist with rule development.
HB 2403 allocates $7.5 million annually from Arizona's state general fund for four fiscal years (2026-2027 through 2029-2030) to increase payments to home and community-based service providers under Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS). This funding directly supports providers who serve elderly Arizonans and individuals with physical disabilities, enabling them to offer services like in-home care and support. The bill specifically targets higher reimbursement rates for these providers, ensuring they receive additional state funding for eligible services. It is a budgetary measure with no policy changes beyond the specified funding allocation.
HB 2939 creates a state income tax credit for businesses expanding or locating qualified facilities in Arizona. It directly affects businesses that make new capital investments, create qualifying jobs paying at least 125% of the median wage (100% in rural areas), and provide 65% employer-paid health insurance. The credit equals 10% of qualifying investments, capped at $200,000-$300,000 per new job, with a $125 million annual cap and $30 million per business limit. Businesses must retain operations at the facility for five years and claim credits in five equal installments over time.
