Committee advances bill requiring schools to report AEDs and directs $1 million for devices

A committee of appropriations advanced Senate Bill 11‑31 on March 18, moving a one‑time school data collection and a $1,000,000 appropriation forward to the next stage.

Supporters told the committee the bill would create a required report from each school district and charter school to the Arizona Department of Education showing the number of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on each campus, how many staff are trained in CPR, first aid and AED use, and whether the district or charter has adopted a cardiac emergency response plan. The bill also directs ADE to compile the submissions and provide a statewide report.

Erin Strader of the American Heart Association testified in support, saying, "Each year in The United States, more than 23000 youth experience a sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting" and that "Survival depends on 3 things, immediate CPR, quick access to an AED, and a prepared response plan." Strader said the one‑time data collection would provide a baseline to identify gaps and target resources "so we can strengthen readiness statewide."

The committee adopted an amendment in Chairman Livingston’s name changing the appropriation source from the state general fund to the industry‑recognized certification and licensure reimbursement fund. Staff told the committee the reimbursement fund had an estimated FY2026 balance of $2,000,000 and receives an ongoing $1,000,000 annual deposit; JLBC staff said ADE has not reported spending from the fund. A committee member asked whether using that fund would reduce money available to help students pay for occupational certification exams; staff responded that the fund continues to receive the ongoing deposit and that ADE had not shown prior spending from it.

Sponsor remarks summarized the bill’s implementation funding: $50,000 to help schools collect the required data and the remainder to help schools acquire and maintain AEDs and training. During roll call, some members voiced concerns about diverting money from an existing fund and asked staff to investigate why ADE has not previously used the account; Representative Gutierrez said she would vote yes but wanted the record to show that ADE should be asked to review and advertise the fund.

The committee returned SB 11‑31 as amended with a due‑pass recommendation by a roll‑call vote of 15 yes, 1 no and 2 present. The bill now moves on in the legislative process; committee members said they were open to amendments on funding source wording as budget negotiations proceed.