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Arizona2026Enacted

HB2729

HB2729: Continuation of Arizona Health Boards and DES

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:01 AM

In one sentence

This law extends the operation dates for five state agencies that were set to end in July 2026, keeping them active until either 2030 or 2032.

What it does

  • Continues the Department of Economic Security (DES) retroactively from July 1, 2026, until it ends on July 1, 2030.
  • Extends the Arizona State Board of Nursing through July 1, 2030, with full repeal occurring on January 1, 2031.
  • Keeps the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners active until July 1, 2030, ending fully by January 1, 2031.
  • Maintains the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants through July 1, 2030, with repeal on January 1, 2031.
  • Continues the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy for a longer period until it ends on July 1, 2032.

Who it affects

  • The Department of Economic Security and its programs for children, adults, and families.
  • Nursing professionals licensed by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
  • Occupational therapists regulated by the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.
  • Physician assistants overseen by the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants.

Limits and unknowns

  • This bill only extends the agencies for set periods; it does not guarantee they will continue after their new end dates in 2030, 2031, 2032, or 2033.
  • The text states there is no anticipated fiscal impact on the state General Fund but does not list specific budget amounts for these agencies.

Plain language

Terms to know

Continuation
The act of extending an agency's legal existence past its original end date so it can keep operating.
Retroactive
A law that applies to dates in the past, specifically from July 1, 2026, even though the bill was signed later.
Repeal
The official removal of a law or agency authority on a specific future date.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

HB2729 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet Assigned to HHS�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� AS PASSED BY COW ARIZONA STATE SENATE Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session AMENDED FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2729 nursing board; continuation (NOW: health boards; DES; continuations) Purpose Continues the Department of Economic Security (DES), the Arizona State Board of Nursing, the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants and the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. Background DES DES was established in 1972, assuming the authority, power and duties of the Employment Security Commission of Arizona and its divisions, the State Department of Public Welfare, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the State Office of Economic Opportunity and the State Office of Manpower Planning. DES provides protective and assistance services to Arizona's children, adults and families. DES administers programs related to child support enforcement, developmental disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, domestic violence, adult protective services, medical assistance eligibility, nutritional assistance, independent living, employment assistance, and unemployment insurance. DES terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature ( Arizona State Library ; A.R.S. �� 41-1954 and 41-3026.21 ). Health Profession Regulatory Boards The Arizona State Board of Nursing is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of nursing professionals in Arizona, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor. The Arizona State Board of Nursing terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. � 32-1602 ; 32-1606 ; and 41-3026.08 ). The Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of occupational therapists in Arizona, consisting of five members appointed by the Governor. The Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. �� 32-3402 ; 32-3404 ; and 41-3026.09 ) The Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of physician assistants in Arizona, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor. The Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. �� 32-2502 ; 32-2504 ; and 41-3026.12 ). The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy is the regulatory body responsible for the licensing and oversight of pharmacies and pharmacy professionals in Arizona, consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor. The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. �� 32-1902 ; 32-1904 ; and 41-3026.07 ). There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation. Provisions DES 1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, DES until July 1, 2030. 2. Repeals DES on January 1, 2031. Health Profession Regulatory Boards 3. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Arizona State Board of Nursing until July 1, 2030. 4. Repeals the Arizona State Board of Nursing on January 1, 2031. 5. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners until July 1, 2030. 6. Repeals the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners on January 1, 2031. 7. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants until July 1, 2030. 8. Repeals the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants on January 1, 2031. 9. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2026, the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy until July 1, 2032. 10. Repeals the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy on January 1, 2033. Miscellaneous 11. Contains purpose statements. 12. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with retroactive provisions as noted. Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole 1. Continues DES, the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners and the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants for four years. 2. Continues the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy for six years. House Action ���������������������������������������������������������� Senate Action HHS��������������� 2/19/26����� DP������ 9-0-0-3�������������� HHS��������������� 3/18/26����� DP������������� 6-0-1������������������������� 3 rd Read��������� 2/26/26����������������� 51-1-7 Prepared by Senate Research June 11, 2026 MM/MS/hk

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Governor signedSenate
  2. House passedHouse
  3. House passedHouse
  4. House minority caucusHouse
  5. Transmitted to HouseHouse
  6. Senate third read passedSenate
  7. Senate committee of the wholeSenate
  8. Senate minority caucusSenate
  9. Senate majority caucusSenate
  10. Senate second readSenate
  11. Senate Rules: PFCSenate
  12. Senate Health and Human Services: DPSenate
  13. Senate first readSenate
  14. Transmitted to SenateSenate
  15. House third read passedHouse
  16. House minority caucusHouse
  17. House majority caucusHouse
  18. House consent calendarHouse
  19. House second readHouse
  20. House Rules: C&PHouse

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

SENATE - Werner flr amend (ref Bill) adopted (Adopted)

This amendment extends the legal existence of five Arizona health and social service agencies by setting new expiration dates for their current laws.