Session:

House Member

Personal Information:
Home City: Yuma
Member Since: 2015

State Representative Charlene Fernandez is the Democratic Caucus Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 4th Legislative District serving on the Committee on Appropriations. She was first elected to the state House in 2014 and represents Southwestern Arizona, specifically, the majority of Yuma County, western Pima County, southwestern Maricopa County and southwestern Pinal County. Charlene also serves on the Arizona Food and Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee advocating for food security.

Early Life and Education

Fernandez was born in Yuma, Arizona to the late Antonia "Tony" Ramos and Carmen Ramos. She attended Yuma High School where she graduated, and went on to attend Arizona Western College before transferring to Northern Arizona University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Career

Fernandez worked for Congressman Ed Pastor for twelve years, coordinating constituent services for the western portion of then Congressional District 2. While working for Congressman Pastor, Charlene spearheaded an effort that culminated in bringing a Veteran's Administration clinic to Yuma County for the first time in history; previously the Phoenix Veterans facility was the closest place for them to receive these services. Her experience led to her becoming a consultant for a software company that produced a Constituent Management System for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Charlene later served Governor Janet Napolitano as a liaison for the Arizona Department of Environment Quality in Yuma County. In this capacity she worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as its counterpart in the Republic of Mexico, to ensure that the air and water in Southwestern Arizona remained safe while ensuring that businesses faced minimal impact.

Political Career

Fernandez was elected to the Yuma Union High School District Governing Board, serving as both President and Vice President.p>In 2008, Fernandez was elected by the Arizona Democratic State Committee to be First Vice Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, she served in this capacity until 2009. In May 2014 Fernandez announced her candidacy for state house. She started her first term in January or 2015. Fernandez has been re-elected to represent District 4 in 2016 and 2018.

House of Representatives

Fernandez was elected Democratic Leader going into the 2018 legislative session. In 2016, Fernandez was elected Democratic Whip. In 2014, Fernandez was appointed to the coveted Committee on Appropriations. She also serves on the newly created Subcommittee on Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Resources.

Tenure

Fernandez is known as a leader on education policy within the state, the Arizona Republic published a guest editorial by her in September 2015 entitled, "How I'd reform private school tax credits." In it Fernandez details the problems with Arizona education funding in general and private school tuition tax credits in particular.

In 2016 Fernandez was name Legislator of Year by the Arizona Parent Teacher Association. Fernandez has also been an ardent foe to the private prison system in the state supported by Governor Doug Ducey. She has challenged the governor's staff from her seat on the Appropriations Committee to justify the need to provide more prison beds.

Personal Life

Fernandez is a highly active member of her community. She serves or has served on the Yuma Community Foundation, Board of the United Way of Yuma County, and Yuma Leadership. Fernandez and her husband Sergio have three adult children, Brian, Carlye, and Lisa.

Sponsored Bills

Bill NumberSponsor TypeShort/NOW Title
HB2191Crepeal; right to work
HB2192Ccall center relocation
HB2193Crailroads; annual safety inspections
HB2194Cmisclassification; tax fraud; task force
HB2195Cemployment; conditions; labor organizations; discrimination
HB2196Covertime pay
HB2244Chousing trust fund; unclaimed property
HB2245Ctaxation; repeal; selected exemptions
HB2250Chealthcare providers; religious beliefs
HB2252CTANF; cash assistance amount
HB2253CTANF; lifetime limit; sanctions
HB2254Cend-of-life decisions; terminally ill patients
HB2255Ccommerce authority; qualified investors; report
HB2256Cmedical marijuana; physicians; definition
HB2264Cstate employees; paid family leave
HB2271CAHCCCS; pregnant women; eligibility
HB2273Celigibility; children's health insurance program
HB2276Clicensure; transvaginal ultrasounds
HB2470Cbuffalo soldiers memorial; extension
HB2471Cstate agencies; veterans status; inquiry
HB2472Cspecial license plates; veterans; design
HB2473Cveterans; special license plates; design
HB2474Cpost-traumatic stress injury day
HB2475CADOT website; motor vehicle violations
HB2476Cautonomous vehicles; ADOT director's duties
HB2571Cchild care assistance; tiered reimbursement
HB2572Cstate law; local violations; repeal
HB2573Clandlord; tenant; fee disclosure; waiver
HB2574Cappropriation; healthy families program
HB2646Cfirearm transfers; domestic violence offenses.
HB2647Cschools; sex education instruction.
HB2668Cnutrition assistance; benefit match; appropriation.
HB2669Cappropriation; elementary school district
HB2675Cappropriations; medical workforce development
HB2676Cappropriation; community health grants
HB2706Cappropriation; veterans' services; benefits counselors
HB2734Ccandidates; school, local; electronic signatures
HB2735Cinitiative; referendum; signatures; electronic submittal
HB2742Csexual assault survivors; protocols
HB2750Cautomatic voter registration; same day.
HB2751Csearch warrants; audible notice; requirements.
HB2752Csexual harassment; nondisclosure agreements; prohibition
HB2761Cessential drugs; price increases; limits
HB2762Cstatewide assessment; 2020-2021 school year
HB2805Cunemployment insurance; benefits; tax base
HB2842Chealth care workers; employment rights
HB2843Cchemical agents; prohibited uses; police
HB2852P*study committee; educator health insurance
HB2853P*special plates; ovarian cancer; design
HB2854P*fireworks; permissible sale days; use
HB2855P*building permits; requirements; statewide preemption
HB2857Cemployee protections; public health-related pandemic
HB2858Cfamily and medical leave; paid.
HB2867Cemployers; COVID-19 exposure; notification
HB2868Cabortion; religious employers; contraception; repeal
HB2872Ccellular tower study committee
HB2890PZ*prescription drugs; upper payment limit..
HCM2002Cpostal service, urging independence; prefunding
HCR2007Cright to work; repeal
HCR2010Cratification; equal rights amendment.
HCR2022CFisher house; service members; supporting
HCR2040P*tax expenditures; rates; supermajority vote
HCR2041CBarbara Lubin; death resolution
HM2001Cmilitary sexual assault; service members
HR2006CMark Finchem; expulsion
HR2007CCOVID-19 memorial day
HR2011P*Robert Cannell; death resolution
HR2012P*Jim Carruthers; death resolution
HR2013CSue Ellen Allen; death resolution
SB1190Cprice gouging; abnormal market disruptions
SCR1013Cequal rights; equal protection