IN FOCUS - Mar. 27, 2026

Nearly 2,000 bills were introduced to begin the Arizona legislative session. Most have now reached their eternal resting place.

Today was the last chance for House and Senate committees to meet (except for Appropriations committees, which have one more week of work). That means, for the vast majority of bills, this was the deadline to clear committee and move to the full House or Senate for consideration.

In a typical session, between 200 and 300 bills are signed into law. Among those that fail, the largest number are never assigned or are rejected in committee. Legislators and lobbyists will be busy next week utilizing strike-everything amendments in a last-ditch attempt to revive discarded policy ideas, but time is running out fast.

As legislative work begins to slow, all eyes will turn to negotiations on the FY 2027-28 budget. Last week, Republicans issued a joint statement accusing the Governor of choosing to “walk away” from budget talks, to which the Governor’s spox responded that the GOP was “living in an alternate reality.”

So, things are going really well. 

What to watch? Tax Day looms, and the Governor and lawmakers have still not reached agreement on federal tax conformity. Additionally, Proposition 123 renewal remains a live issue.

Is there a deal to be had? Stay tuned.