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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
nursing
board; continuation
(NOW: health boards; DES; continuations)
Purpose
Continues the Department of Economic Security (DES), the Arizona State Board of Nursing, the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants and the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy.
Background
DES
DES was established in 1972, assuming the authority, power and duties of the Employment Security Commission of Arizona and its divisions, the State Department of Public Welfare, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the State Office of Economic Opportunity and the State Office of Manpower Planning. DES provides protective and assistance services to Arizona's children, adults and families. DES administers programs related to child support enforcement, developmental disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, domestic violence, adult protective services, medical assistance eligibility, nutritional assistance, independent living, employment assistance, and unemployment insurance. DES terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (Arizona State Library; A.R.S. §§ 41-1954 and 41-3026.21).
Health Profession Regulatory Boards
The Arizona State Board of Nursing is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of nursing professionals in Arizona, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor. The Arizona State Board of Nursing terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 32-1602; 32-1606; and 41-3026.08).
The Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of occupational therapists in Arizona, consisting of five members appointed by the Governor. The Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. §§ 32-3402; 32-3404; and 41-3026.09)
The Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of physician assistants in Arizona, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor. The Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. §§ 32-2502; 32-2504; and 41-3026.12).
The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of pharmacies and pharmacy professionals in Arizona, consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor. The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. §§ 32-1902; 32-1904; and 41-3026.07).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
DES
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, DES until July 1, 2030.
2. Repeals DES on January 1, 2031.
Health Profession Regulatory Boards
3. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Arizona State Board of Nursing until July 1, 2030.
4. Repeals the Arizona State Board of Nursing on January 1, 2031.
5. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners until July 1, 2030.
6. Repeals the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners on January 1, 2031.
7. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants until July 1, 2030.
8. Repeals the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants on January 1, 2031.
9. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy until July 1, 2032.
10. Repeals the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy on January 1, 2033.
Miscellaneous
11. Contains purpose statements.
12. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with retroactive provisions as noted.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Continues DES, the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners and the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants for four years.
2. Continues the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy for six years.
House Action Senate Action
HHS 2/19/26 DP 9-0-0-3 HHS 3/18/26 DP 6-0-1
3rd Read 2/26/26 51-1-7
Prepared by Senate Research
June 11, 2026
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