AZ Legislative Update – February 25, 2022
Posted by [email protected] on Feb. 25, 2022 / AZ Legislative Update / Subscribe 0
Today marks the 47th day of the Arizona 55th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session and we have essentially reached the proverbial “half-way” point. Arizona’s legislative sessions typically run about 100 days; however, the length of the session is usually tied to budget negotiations which can be unpredictable. That was quite evident last year when session lasted 174 days. As things currently sit, all signs point to another lengthy session.
After last week’s deadline for bills to be heard in their chamber of origin, nearly half of the 1,700 pieces of legislation introduced this year are dead in their current form. That being said, we are on the lookout for potential striker amendments that may attempt to resurrect bad bills.
Legislative committees, other than appropriations and rules (and the continuation of last week’s Senate Health Committee), did not meet this past week with members spending a significant time on the floor voting bills out of their respective chambers.
Coming out of the crossover week, committee hearing agendas are fairly light; however, with only four weeks to hear bills in the opposite chamber (March 25th deadline), legislative activity will intensify over the next few weeks.
Below, please find a few bills that we would like to highlight. Additionally, attached, you will find your full tracking list of bills.
We are continuing to engage members and staff on your top legislative priorities. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Health
HB 2144 Health Insurance Coverage; Biomarker Testing (Cobb): HB 2144 passed out of the House on Thursday, 59-0 This bill requires hospital and medical service corporations, health care service organizations, disability insurers and group or blanket disability insurers to provide coverage for biomarker testing. HB 2144 directs the AHCCS and its contractors to provide biomarker testing for its members and describes procedures for usage and coverage of biomarker testing. We are continuing to engage the sponsor and members regarding changes to this troubling mandate bill.
Insurance Operations
SB 1118 Insurance; Fees; Consent; Limits (Livingston): SB 1118 passed out of the Senate on Thursday, 28-0. The bill makes various minor changes to statutes relating to insurance which include modernization language with regards to customer communications, clarifying language for motor vehicle policy exclusions, amends the definition of an advisory organization and reduces agency filing fees. SB 1118 allows consumers to receive discounts on Medicare supplemental plans.
HB 2599 Administrative Hearing; GRRC (Grantham): HB 2599 passed out of the House on Tuesday 59-0. The bill updates the Office of Administrative Hearing (OAH) process by eliminating the unfair unilateral authority for state agencies to overrule an administrative law judge’s decision and allows businesses to recover attorney fees and costs if successful at OAH. The bill also streamlines the appeals process when the third parties are appealing an agency decision. Additionally, it makes several modifications to the GRRC appeal process by modernizing procedures and leveling the playfield for the business community.
HB 2685 Artificial Intelligence; Requirements (Carroll): HB 2685 passed out of the House on Thursday, 32-27. The bill was favorably amended in the House on Thursday to now just be a study committee on AI. As originally drafted, this troubling bill stipulated that an algorithm that enables artificial intelligence to learn and implement decisions without human intervention must support human agency and fundamental rights, comply with all federal and state laws, fulfill ethical principles that ensure no unintended human harm occurs, and provide transparency and traceability of data logs and decision-making.
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