Legislative Update – February 19, 2016

This week in Arizona was the final opportunity to hear bills in issue committees in their chamber of origin. The Appropriations Committees are given an extra week.   Agendas and floor calendars have been very long and filled with heated debate.  So far, out of the 1,219 bills introduced, four have been passed and signed into law by Governor Ducey.   The latest bills to receive Governor Ducey’s approval are the modifications to the state’s Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) and funding for Joint Technical Education Districts (JTEDs).

Governor Ducey Signs Career and Technical Education Funding Bill

The effort to restore $29 million dollars in state funding for JTEDs stalled for a few days while the House negotiated an insubstantial language change to ensure they receive credit for the bill.   As the final version heading to Governor Ducey’s desk for signature is a senate bill, SB1525 by Senator Don Shooter (R-Yuma), the House added language saying that restoring JTEDs was “an important priority” for the House and added the names of the 56 Representatives who signed on to their version.  This version received a vote of approval from the Senate on Wednesday and was promptly signed by Governor Ducey.  President Biggs indicated that he doesn’t mind the changes.  “This bill we’ve always considered too important to be messing around with,” said Biggs.  House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham commented,  “It was important to the House members that their input on the bill and support of JTEDs be recognized.  House attorneys determined that this was a legal and effective way to accomplish that goal.”

Arizona Saw a 25% Reduction in Solar Jobs

According to a report from a recent census from the Solar Foundation, solar jobs have stagnated in Arizona.   As of November 2015 there were roughly 7,000 solar industry workers in the state, about 25 percent lower than at the same time in 2014.  The report cited SRP’s demand charge as the reason for the “massive underperformance”.  “With uncertainty casting a shadow over Arizona’s smaller-scale residential and non-residential markets, and many of the state’s utilities having largely achieved their goals for solar deployment under the state’s renewable energy standard, capacity installation is expected to slow even further in 2016,” the report argued. 

Professional Licensure Bill Passes Committee

In his January State of the State Address, Governor Ducey shared that one of his key priorities will be reducing the number of professions that need state licensing.  As a result, HB2613 (regulatory boards; licensing; revisions) was introduced by Representative Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert).  The bill proposes to eliminate licensing for nine professions including geologists, assayers, driving school instructors, landscape architects, yoga instructors and fruit packers.  “Simply stated, licensing should be the last option, not the first. We should be willing to periodically review the status quo and see if current regulations reach the proper balance of employment opportunity and government oversight. Reducing regulations means more money for hardworking Arizonans,” said Ducey policy advisory Rene Guillen. 

The bill received its first hearing on Wednesday and faced major opposition with hundreds of individuals signed in to testify.  While many cited public health and safety, several professions would face license reciprocity issues should they want to work in other states.   Representative Petersen argued that protections remain in place to ensure public safety is maintained. “This is not like it’s going from level 10 regulation to level zero regulation. We’re dialing it down. There’s laws on the books,” said Petersen.   Guillen emphasized that the bill is a work in progress and many of the issues discussed will be addressed  throughout the legislative process.

Bill Introduced to Extend Contact Lens Prescription Length

Online contact lens retailer 1800 Contacts is pushing a measure to extend the life of a contact lens to two years.  Current statute dictates a prescription is viable for one year or less.  Dr. Annette Hanian from the Arizona Optometry Association has opposed the measure.  “They have inherent to them things that can affect the corneal integrity, the surface of the eye, the ocular surface that patients aren’t necessarily aware of.  We need to be able to diagnose and intervene at an appropriate time so they don’t become more serious complications,” said Hanian.  The bill’s sponsor, Representative Heather Carter (R-Cave Creek) commented that it is a commerce issue, not a health issue. “This is the only type of statutory provision that dictates by the government how you prescribe a medical device. The government shouldn’t be in the business of mandating the doctor-patient relationship,” said Carter.  After heated debate from both sides, HB2523 (contact lens; prescriptions)  failed with 2 ayes and 6 nays in its first hearing in the Commerce Committee on Wednesday.