ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

House: HHS DP 9-0-0-3

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

HB 2728: department of economic security; continuation

Sponsor: Representative Bliss, LD 1

Caucus & COW

Overview

Continues the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) for four years.

History

Established in 1972, DES was created to provide an integrated approach to human services. The agency is administered by a Director who is appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate (A.R.S. § 41-1952).

DES is separated into six client service divisions: the Division of Aging and Adult Services, the Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility, the Division of Child Support Services, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services and the Child and Community Services Division. The agency is responsible for administrating employment services, individual and family services, income maintenance services, rehabilitation services, administrative services, manpower planning, economic opportunity services, intellectual disability and other developmental disability programs, and nonmedical home and community based services (A.R.S. § 41-1954).

The Senate Health and Human Services and House Health and Human Services Committees of Reference (COR) met jointly on January 30, 2026, to review the performance audit and sunset review conducted by the Auditor General and evaluate DES's response to the sunset factors. The COR recommended that DES be continued for four years (Senate HHS & House HHS COR Minutes).

DES terminates on July 1, 2026, unless legislation is enacted for its continuation (A.R.S. § 41-3026.21).

Provisions

1.   Continues DES until July 1, 2030. (Sec. 2)

2.   Repeals DES on January 1, 2031. (Sec. 2)

3.   Contains a purpose statement. (Sec. 3)

4.   Makes the legislation retroactive to July 1, 2026. (Sec. 4)

5.   Makes a conforming change. (Sec. 1)

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9.   Initials AG                       HB 2728

10.  2/18/2026  Page 0 Caucus & COW

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