Arizona Senate advances a package of appropriations, education and health bills; multiple measures pass on third reading

The Arizona Senate on Thursday moved a slate of committee-recommended bills through the Committee of the Whole and approved multiple measures on third reading, including appropriations and policy bills affecting education, health, public safety and professional regulation.

Notable outcomes included: SB 11-61 (Department of Public Safety lapsing/appropriations) passed on third reading by a recorded vote of 28 ayes, 0 nays, 2 not voting; SB 12-09 (Department of Transportation statute amendments) passed 28-0; SB 12-49 (Alzheimer's state appropriation, reported at $2.8 million in committee) passed 28-0; SB 10-41 (Arizona Trail Fund appropriation) passed by recorded vote 22 ayes, 6 nays, 2 not voting; and SB 16-73 (appropriation to the crime victim notification fund) was reported passed by the floor with a recorded vote of 26 ayes, 2 nays, 2 not voting.

Committee reports and committee amendments were adopted for a number of bills before final votes. The session recorded both unanimous approvals and close tallies depending on the item. Several bills that received committee amendments included SB 11-31 (cardiac emergency response plans for schools, which included a $50,000 placeholder in a floor amendment), SB 15-17 (barbering/cosmetology board appropriation), and SB 15-63/15-64 (professional regulation and health-care-institution statutes).

Why it matters: The package contains spending and policy changes that affect state agencies and local programs — from school safety and community gardens to behavioral-health services and victim notification funding — and will be transmitted to the House for further consideration.

Next steps: Passed bills are to be signed in open session, recorded in the journal, and transmitted to the House. The Senate recessed and is scheduled to reconvene for first reading and committee work on Monday, March 9, 2026.