Arizona Legislative Update – Friday, February 6, 2026
Posted by [email protected] on Feb. 9, 2026 / Subscribe 0
Arizona Legislative Update – Friday, February 6, 2026
Friday marked the 26th day of the Arizona 57th Legislature, Second Regular Session, and lawmakers are rapidly approaching the February 20th deadline for bills to be heard in their chamber of origin. With just two weeks remaining before legislative crossover, activity at the Capitol is intensifying as members work to keep their legislation alive and moving through the process.
This session has already set a new record for the most bills introduced in a single year. A total of 1,871 bills has been introduced, surpassing last year’s record of 1,724. On Wednesday morning, the Arizona House of Representatives crossed a historic threshold by introducing more than 1,000 bills for the first time ever (attached is a video of the historic moment). The unprecedented volume of legislation has also pushed House bill numbers into the 4000s for the first time, underscoring the unusually busy pace of the session.
Monday marked the deadline for senators to introduce new bills. House members have until Monday evening, February 9th to introduce legislation. At this time, 1,871 bills and 138 resolutions have been posted for consideration.
Several notable developments occurred this week. Virginia “Ginny” Rountree, director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), announced she is resigning effective Feb. 13, 2026, citing personal health concerns after serving less than six months in the role. Appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs in September 2025, Rountree led Arizona’s Medicaid agency as it faced scrutiny over fraud issues and challenges with provider payments. In her statement, she thanked staff and partners and said she’ll assist with a transition to new leadership. Governor Hobbs expressed appreciation for her service overseeing health coverage for about 1.8 million Arizonans.
The Legislature also passed the Arizona primary election “cleanup” bill, HB 2202, which corrects and aligns primary election dates. The bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support and is now headed to the Governor’s desk.
On tax policy, legislative Republicans are again attempting to advance a tax conformity proposal through HB 2785 (House version) and SB 1638 (Senate version). However, Governor Hobbs has already made clear that any tax conformity bill will be dead on arrival. The Governor has previously vetoed a similar conformity bill earlier this session and has reiterated her opposition.
Below, please find several bills we would like to highlight, some of which are scheduled for committee hearings this week. Attached you will also find your full bill tracking list.
Health Insurance
HB 2194 Claims; Prior Authorization; Denials; Contact (Bliss): HB 2194 passed out of the House Health & Human Services on Monday, 12-0. The bill requires health insurers to provide a contact method, such as a telephone number or email address, for inquiries related to denied claims. Additionally, insurers must respond substantively to questions about these denials within two business days of receiving the inquiries. The provisions are set to take effect on June 30, 2027.
HB 2333 Insurance; Prosthetics; Orthotics; Reporting Requirements (Heap): HB 2333 will be heard on Monday in the House Health & Human Services Committee. The bill requires Arizona health insurers to provide coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices that is at least equivalent to Medicare Part B, effective January 1, 2027. Coverage must include purchase, fitting, adjustment, repair, and replacement of devices, as well as necessary materials and habilitative or rehabilitative benefits, with medical necessity determined by a healthcare provider. Insurers must ensure access to at least two in-state providers and facilitate out-of-network referrals if needed, with reimbursement at agreed rates. Cost sharing is allowed but cannot be more restrictive than for other medical services. The bill also establishes annual reporting requirements on claims and payments through 2032 and prohibits discrimination based on disability. HB 2333 is also assigned to House Appropriations.
HB 2447 Insurance; Reimbursement Rates; Nurse Anesthetists (Lopez): HB 2447 will be heard on Monday in the House Health & Human Services Committee. The bill requires that certified registered nurse anesthetists receive reimbursement rates from insurers and related entities that are not different from those paid to licensed physicians for comparable services. The bill allows these entities to establish variable reimbursement rates based on quality or performance-based measures, as long as the base rates remain equal. The provisions apply to contracts and policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date of the relevant sections of the bill.
HB 2617 Insurance; Prostate Cancer; Cost Sharing (Blackman): HB 2617 will be heard on Monday in the House Health & Human Services Committee. The bill prohibits insurers from imposing cost-sharing requirements for diagnostic prostate cancer screenings for high-risk individuals. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2027. High-risk individuals include men aged 55 and older, men carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, men with a family history of prostate cancer or related genetic mutations, and military veterans exposed to agent orange. The bill applies to both individual and group disability insurers.
SB 1611 American Indian Health Program; Administration (Werner): SB 1611 was assigned to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee earlier this week. The bill establishes a framework for contracting a qualified entity to serve as the administrative services organization for the American Indian health program in Arizona, starting October 1, 2027. The program will continue to operate as a fee-for-service option for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native members, with the Arizona Department of Administration retaining oversight of rate setting, claims payment, and program integrity. The bill requires a procurement process involving legislative review, public input from tribal governments and Indian health providers, and nonvoting legislative observers during the selection process. It mandates compliance with federal protections for Indian health care providers and members. The legislation is effective immediately as an emergency measure.
SB 1710 Pharmacy Benefits; Patient Steering; Prohibition (Shamp): SB 1710 was introduced earlier this week. The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from transferring patient or prescriber prescription data to affiliated providers for commercial purposes and restricts practices that steer or incentivize patients to use affiliated pharmacies. The bill bars PBMs and health insurers from requiring clinician-administered drugs to be dispensed solely through affiliated providers or imposing higher costs for drugs administered outside traditional pharmacy settings. It also prohibits financial inducements to beneficiaries to use specific affiliated pharmacies and retaliatory actions against patients who do not use affiliated providers. Additionally, PBMs must submit annual transparency reports starting in 2027, detailing rebates, administrative fees, reimbursements, and their corporate structure. These provisions apply to contracts entered into, amended, extended, or renewed after the act’s effective date.SB 1710 is still awaiting a committee assignment.
Dental Insurance
HB 2308 Dental Insurers; Dental Practice; Prohibition (Weninger): HB 2308 passed out of the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday, 8-0-3 (present); however, the bill did get beat up a bit which will hopefully slow it down. This problematic bill would prohibit dental insurers or holding companies from owning interest in a dental practice. The bill is being pushed by the Arizona Dental Association.
Insurance Operations
HB 2091 Financial Surveillance Fund; Insurer Examinations (Livingston): HB 2091 passed out of the House on Wednesday, 47-11. The bill updates ARS 20-156 to modernize the assessment structure that funds the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions and specifically its ongoing financial surveillance of domestic insurers. The Arizona insurance industry has encouraged these updates to ensure that DIFI has the resources, staffing, and expertise necessary to maintain strong regulatory oversight and protect the stability of Arizona’s insurance marketplace.
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