Assigned to HHS                                                                                                 AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session

 

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2731

 

physician assistants; board; continuation

Purpose

Continues the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants (Board) for four years.

Background

The Board is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of physician assistants in Arizona and for protecting the public from unlawful, incompetent, unqualified, impaired or unprofessional physician assistants. The Board develops professional standards, reviews applicant credentials, establishes licensing requirements and fees, investigates complaints and administers disciplinary proceedings against licensees (A.R.S. § 32-2504).

The Board consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor, including: 1) five physician assistants who hold a current license; 2) two public members; 3) two actively engaged and licensed allopathic physicians, one of whom supervises or collaborates with a physician assistant; and
4) two actively engaged and licensed osteopathic physicians, one of whom supervises or collaborates with a physician assistant. Members are appointed for four-year terms, beginning and ending on July 1 (A.R.S. § 32-2502).

The Senate and House of Representatives Health and Human Services Joint Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on January 30, 2026, to review and evaluate the Auditor General's performance audit and sunset review report, consider the Board's responses to the statutorily outlined sunset factors and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the Legislature continue the Board for two years until July 1, 2028, and that statutory changes be made to improve the Board's ability to efficiently and accurately perform their duties as prescribed by law (COR Report). The Board terminates on July 1, 2026, unless legislation is enacted for its continuation (A.R.S. § 41-3026.12).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Board until July 1, 2030.

2.   Repeals the Board on January 1, 2031.

3.   Contains a purpose statement.

4.   Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

1.   Continues the Board until July 1, 2030, rather than July 1, 3030.

2.   Repeals the Board on January 1, 2031, rather than January 1, 3031.

House Action                                                           Senate Action

HHS          2/19/26        DP     10-0-0-0                   HHS       3/18/26            DPA    6-0-1

3rd Read    2/26/26                  51-1-8

Prepared by Senate Research

March 24, 2026

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