ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

Senate: FIN DP 6-0-1-0 | Third Read 25-2-3-0-0

House: GOV DP 6-0-1-0

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

SB 1135: death benefits; burial costs

Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19

Caucus & COW

Overview

Increases, from $5,000 to $10,000, the amount of burial expenses paid for a worker's compensation death benefit.

History

In the event of a loss sustained on account of injury or death specified employees and their dependents are entitled to receive compensation. These employees include but are not limited to: 1) all persons in the service of the state of Arizona and its municipalities including police and fire departments; 2) specified lessees of mining property; 3) firefighters, volunteer firefighters, policemen and voluntary policemen; 4) members of the Department of Public Safety reserve; and 5) members of a volunteer sheriff's reserve (A.R.S. §§ 23-901, 23-1021).

In the case of an injury involving death the following compensation amounts are prescribed in statute: 1) burial expenses of $5,000; and 2) differing percentages of the average monthly wage of the deceased individual based on the existence of a surviving spouse or dependent kin. A surviving spouse's benefits terminate upon their death or remarriage. The benefits for surviving children cease upon the child's 18th birthday, unless they are incapable of self-support (A.R.S. § 23-1046).

Employers are required to secure workers' compensation to their employees in one of two ways. The employer may insure the payment of such compensation with an insurance carrier who is authorized by the Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions to write workers' compensation insurance in Arizona. Alternatively, the employer may furnish to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (Commission) satisfactory proof of financial ability to pay the compensation directly or through a workers' compensation pool approved by the Commission (A.R.S. § 23-961).

Provisions

1.   Increases the death benefit for burial expenses from no more than $5,000 to no more than $10,000. (Sec. 1)

2.   Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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6.   Initials ML                       SB 1135

7.   3/11/2026  Page 0 Caucus & COW

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