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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: HHS DP 9-0-0-3 | Third Read 52-1-7-0
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HB
2729: nursing board; continuation
NOW: health boards; DES; continuation
Sponsor: Representative Bliss, LD 1
Signed by the Governor
Overview
Continues the Department of Economic Security (DES), the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN), the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (BOTE), the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants (AZPA) and the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy (ASBP).
History
DES
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).
Health Profession Regulatory Boards
AZBN is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of nursing professionals in Arizona, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor. AZBN terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 32-1602; 32-1606; and 41-3026.08).
BOTE is responsible for the licensing and oversight of occupational therapists in Arizona, consisting of five members appointed by the Governor. BOTE terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. §§ 32-3402; 32-3404; and 41-3026.09)
AZPA is tasked with the licensing and oversight of physician assistants in Arizona, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor. AZPA terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. §§ 32-2502; 32-2504; and 41-3026.12).
ASBP is responsible for the licensing and oversight of pharmacies and pharmacy professionals in Arizona, consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor. ASBP terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. §§ 32-1902; 32-1904; and 41-3026.07).
The Senate Health and Human Services and House Health & Human Services Committees of Reference (COR) met jointly on January 30, 2026, to review the performance audits and sunset reviews conducted by the Auditor General, evaluate DES and the board's responses to the sunset factors and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that DES, AZBN, BOTE and AZPA be continued for four years and ASBP for six years (Senate HHS & House HHS COR Minutes).
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the following agencies and boards until July 1, 2030:
a. DES;
b. BOTE;
c. AZBN; and
d. AZPA. (Sec. 1, 2)
2. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, ASBP until July 1, 2032. (Sec. 1, 2)
3. Repeals DES, BOTE, AZBN and AZPA on January 1, 2031. (Sec. 1)
4. Repeals ASBP on January 1, 2033. (Sec. 1)
5. Contains purpose statements. (3-7)
6. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 1)
7.
8.
9. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------
10. Initials AG/LK HB 2729
11. 7/15/2026 Page 0 Signed by the Governor
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13. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------