Session:

House Member

Personal Information:

Home City: Phoenix
Occupation: Teacher
House Member: 2011-present
Senate Member: 1977-1995


Representative Lela Alston is a Phoenix native, and a graduate of Phoenix Union High School. As a young wife and mother of two, Ms. Alston received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in three years. Later she received her master’s degree from Arizona State University while teaching full-time in the Phoenix Union High School District.

Ms. Alston began serving in the Arizona State Senate in 1977 where she was a committee member on Appropriations for all 18 years of her service till 1995. As a State Senator she also served on the Education, Rules, Government, Commerce and Labor, Judiciary, and Transportation Committees. Ms. Alston served fourteen years in Democratic Leadership as Assistant Leader and Whip. Her numerous interim, and special task force assignments involved education and appropriation issues. Ms. Alston focused her support on programs designed to strengthen the state’s education system, and improve healthcare and economic conditions for children and families.

Ms. Alston strongly believes in public education. Her professional training and personal upbringing resulted in her being an advocate for children and families – an advocacy she continues today. Over a period of years Ms. Alston’s tireless efforts, in cooperation with others, resulted in the creation of Arizona State University’s West Campus. In 1995 Ms. Alston spearheaded efforts to bring Metro Tech High School, a licensed primary care facility in partnership with Banner Health Care.

In November of 2008 Ms. Alston was elected to the PUHSD Governing Board, continuing her service to the Phoenix community after teaching in the district for 34 years. Professional recognitions she is most proud of include being chosen Honorary State Firefighter, Girl Scouts 2002 World of Children Award, and the naming of Lela Alston Elementary School in the Isaac School District.

In 1999 she purchased a 1929 historic home in the Roosevelt District, her lifetime project! Ms. Alston has six grandchildren.

Sponsored Bills

Bill NumberSponsor TypeShort/NOW Title
HB2126Cprivate prisons; regulation
HB2127Cprivate prison security officers; certification
HB2128Cadult incarceration contracts; cost comparison
HB2129Cprivate prisons; prisoner transfer; prohibition
HB2130Cprivate prisons; prisoners; facility; limits
HB2131Cprivate prison study committee
HB2132Cauditor general; private prison monitoring
HB2133Cprivate prison contractors; public records
HB2136Pfirefighter and EMT memorial
HB2201Cnonprescription contraceptive devices; pharmacies
HB2204Plaw enforcement; surviving spouse; insurance
HB2217Cextraordinary educators special plates
HB2218P*unlawful exposure; sexually transmitted diseases
HB2219P*school pupils; food handlers; identification
HB2220P*driver licenses; authorized presence proof..
HB2221P*ADE; appropriation; geographic literacy
HB2222P*death certificates; fee waiver
HB2223P*firefighters; spouse; insurance payment
HB2224P*child care waiting list; appropriation
HB2225P*ASRS; new members; eighty-five points
HB2254Cdeclaratory proceedings; website reporting
HB2255CArizona commerce authority; oversight
HB2256Cdisclosures; lobbyist; gifts; public officers
HB2359Cstudent protection; credit card solicitation
HB2360Cdrug possession; medical assistance; probation
HB2361Clarge electronics recycling program.
HB2362Caffordable housing projects; tax assessment
HB2363Chomeowners' associations; home gardening
HB2364Cincome based tuition waiver scholarships
HB2365Cmicroenterprise development program; establishment
HB2366Cballot measures; titles; descriptions; impartial
HB2367Cranked choice voting
HB2368Celection day voter registration
HB2413Clabor organizations; nonunion employees; representation
HB2414Cpublic employees; collective bargaining
HB2415Cstate employees; meet and confer
HB2422Phealth insurance exchange
HB2484Cveterans; hiring preference; tax credit
HB2506Cschools; sex education
HB2507Cemergency contraception.
HB2522Cnative American tribes; TPT revenues
HB2523Cstate transportation board; tribal representation
HB2530Cempowerment scholarship accounts; tests; surveys
HB2557P*schools; CPR instruction.
HB2563Cteacher preparation programs; common core
HB2564Cpostsecondary institutions; accreditation disclosure
HB2602Cuniversities; fixed tuition rates.
HB2611Cschool district superintendent contracts; renegotiation
HB2612Cauto title loans; military members
HB2613Cliquor licenses; financial disclosure statements
HB2614Ccollection agencies
HB2620Cappropriation; soft capital
HB2622Creal estate department; civil penalties
HB2623Cemployee paydays; violation
HB2624Cforeclosure mediation program.
HB2625Cdriver licenses; legal presence repeal
HB2628Cprosecutor presence; interview of minor
HB2629Ctampering with a witness
HB2630CJTED funding; 9th graders
HB2631Cunlawful discharge; firearm; intoxication
HB2633Chealth insurance; vaccines
HB2634Cresidential foreclosure prevention assistance
HB2635P*job training fund; vocational rehabilitation
HB2636P*homeowners' associations; enforcement; board indemnification
HB2637Cpilot; structured English immersion exemption
HB2642Ccall center relocation; notice; penalty
HB2650Cschools; prohibited courses; repeal..
HB2651Pimmigration; law enforcement; repeal.
HCM2004Cveterans' home; tribal lands
HCR2018CCitizens United decision; repeal
HCR2034CArizona territory; 150th anniversary
HCR2035Crecognizing Arizona caregivers
HM2001Preauthorization; violence against women act
HR2002Cimmigration reform; principles.
SB1039Cuniform commercial code; secured transactions
SB1208Ppilot; foster care tuition waiver
SB1240Cpublic sale of animals
SB1440Cmedical marijuana; advertising; labeling
SB1443Cmarijuana; postsecondary education; medical research
SCR1020CSheriff Larry Dever; death resolution
SCR1021Pdeath resolution; Bill Konopnicki