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Friday, March 3

Thank you for your interest in legislative happenings impacting early childhood development and health. The 56th Legislature, First Regular Session convened on January 9.

On February 16, advocates gathered for Early Childhood Day at the Capitol, an annual event hosted by the Arizona Early Childhood Alliance. The business and early childhood communities participated in panel discussions and held meetings with legislators to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood investments in the state. Additional information is provided below.

This week the House and Senate began hearing bills from the opposite chamber. Both chambers have a deadline of March 24 to consider these bills.

First Things First monitors additional legislation that may not appear on this list. If the Early Childhood Development and Health Board (referred to as First Things First Board) has taken a position on a bill or resolution, it will be noted.

Interested in learning how a bill becomes a law? Click here for more information.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DAY AT THE CAPITOL

On Thursday, February 16, the early childhood community held its annual Early Childhood Day at the Capitol. As part of the day, two panels and meetings with legislators were held, with more than 100 advocates attending to share their stories and discuss public policies that benefit young children and their families. The groups included parents, child care providers and others involved in the health and development of young children. We appreciate all those who attended and are looking forward to next year’s event.

ACTION THIS WEEK

Listed below are priority bills where action was taken this week. Bills are listed in the following order:

Bills where action was taken in committee this week;
Bills scheduled for committee hearings next week; and,
Bills that have been introduced and assigned to committees.

HB2053 - NURSE-HOME VISITATION; PROGRAM; APPROPRIATIONS
FTF HAS TAKEN A POSITION OF SUPPORT.

Sponsor: Rep. Selina Bliss (R)

Summary: Appropriates $15 million and 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions from the General Fund in SFY24 to an Evidence-Based Nurse-Home Visitor Grant Program in the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to prevent child maltreatment and neglect, improve maternal and child health, and promote families' economic mobility. Grant monies would be awarded to an eligible organization to administer the 3-year program to first-time, low-income expectant mothers enrolling prior to their 3rd trimester. DCS may use up to $382,500 of appropriated monies for administration of the program in each fiscal year starting with SFY2023-24. DCS shall publish a report each year for the previous fiscal year starting August 31, 2024.

Latest Action: Bill passed House Committee of the Whole on 3/1; awaiting House Floor vote (45% complete*).

Impact to Early Childhood: Creates a program for new, low-income expectant mothers and their young children to help prevent child maltreatment and neglect and improve maternal and child health.

HB2401 - TPT; DIAPERS; FEMININE HYGIENE; EXEMPTION
THE FTF BOARD HAS TAKEN AN OFFICIAL POSITION OF SUPPORT.

Sponsor: Rep. Alma Hernandez (D)

Summary: The list of exemptions from the retail classification of transaction privilege and use taxes is expanded to include disposable diapers, other similar disposable items commonly used for incontinence, and a list of feminine hygiene products. Applies to taxable periods beginning on or after the first day of the month following the general effective date.

Latest Action: Bill passed House Committee of the Whole on 2/28; awaiting House Floor vote (45% complete*).

Impact on Early Childhood: Eases monetary burden on families of young children who purchase diapers.

Identical to: SB1033 - TPT; DIAPERS; FEMININE HYGIENE; EXEMPTION (SHOPE) and HB2712 - TPT; DIAPERS; FEMININE HYGEINE; EXEMPTION.. (HERNANDEZ M)

HB2499 - NUTRITION ASSISTANCE; TRANSITION PILOT PROGRAM
THE FTF BOARD HAS TAKEN AN OFFICIAL POSITION OF SUPPORT.

Sponsor: Rep. Matt Gress (R)

Summary: Requires the Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) to develop a pilot program allowing nutrition assistance to individuals and families no longer qualifying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and are transitioning off receiving supplemental assistance. ADES must establish eligibility criteria. Specifies reporting requirements. Self-repeals January 1, 2027.

Latest Action: Bill passed House Committee of the Whole on 3/1; awaiting House Floor vote (45% complete*).

Impact to Early Childhood: Creates a program to help transition families receiving nutrition assistance to continue to receive assistance as they transition off.

HB2501 - DEPENDENT TAX CREDIT; ADITIONAL AMOUNT
FTF HAS TAKEN NO POSITION.

Sponsor: Rep. Matt Gress (R)

Summary: A taxpayer who is or whose spouse is pregnant during the taxable year before the taxable year in which the dependent is born is allowed to increase the dependent tax credit for the taxable year in which the dependent is born by the amount of the credit prorated based on the number of months the taxpayer or taxpayer's spouse was pregnant during the prior tax year. Applies to tax years beginning with 2023.

Fiscal Note: ($2.4) million impact to the General Fund.

Latest Action: Bill passed House Committee of the Whole on 3/1; awaiting House Floor vote (45% complete*).

EXPANDED LIST OF BILLS

Any bills being monitored, not scheduled for a hearing or otherwise pending action will be listed separately. The last day for bills to be considered in their chamber of origin committees was Friday, February 17. Any bills not heard in their respective committees prior to this deadline will not be moving forward. If these bills have a funding association, they can be included into the budget. To see this list, click on the link below.

Expanded List of Bills

*Percentages indicate how far through the lawmaking process a bill has traveled.

Please contact PublicAffairs@FirstThingsFirst.org or 602.771.5120 to speak to a member of First Things First regarding these bills.