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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SB1148 • 2026

supreme court; attorney licensing

SB1148 - supreme court; attorney licensing

Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor
Mark Finchem, Hildy Angius
Last action
2026-04-13
Official status
Governor vetoed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Supreme Court; Attorney Licensing

This bill requires the Arizona Supreme Court to license attorneys and sets rules for how they do it, including qualifications, testing, background checks, discipline, and disbarment.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Arizona Supreme Court to issue licenses for lawyers who want to practice law in the state.
  • The court must make rules about licensing, such as minimum requirements, tests, background checks, and how to punish or remove bad lawyers.
  • Lawyers do not have to join any non-governmental groups to get or keep their license.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Arizona Supreme Court
  • Attorneys in Arizona

Terms To Know

licensing
Giving permission for someone to do a job, like being a lawyer, after they meet certain rules.
disbarment
Taking away a lawyer's license because of bad behavior or breaking the law.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how it will be funded.
  • It is unclear if and when lawmakers might override the governor’s veto.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 V

    Governor vetoed

  2. 2026-04-08 Senate

    Transmitted to Senate

  3. 2026-04-08 House

    House third read passed

  4. 2026-04-02 House

    House committee of the whole

  5. 2026-03-17 House

    House minority caucus

  6. 2026-03-17 House

    House majority caucus

  7. 2026-03-16 House

    House consent calendar

  8. 2026-03-04 House

    House second read

  9. 2026-03-03 House

    House Rules: C&P

  10. 2026-03-03 House

    House Judiciary: DP

  11. 2026-03-03 House

    House first read

  12. 2026-02-25 House

    Transmitted to House

  13. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Senate third read passed

  14. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Senate committee of the whole

  15. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Senate minority caucus

  16. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Senate majority caucus

  17. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Senate consent calendar

  18. 2026-01-20 Senate

    Senate second read

  19. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Senate Rules: PFC

  20. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Senate Judiciary and Elections: DP

  21. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1148 - supreme court; attorney licensing

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SB1148 - 572R - S Ver

Senate Engrossed

supreme court;
attorney licensing

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1148

AN
ACT

amending title 12, chapter 1, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-119.06; relating to the supreme
court.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title
12, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding
section 12-119.06, to read:

START_STATUTE
12-119.06.
Attorney licenses; rules

A. The supreme court shall license attorneys for the
practice of law in this state and shall not delegate its duty to any other
organization. The supreme court shall adopt rules to carry out the
provisions of this section, including:

1. Minimum qualifications for licensure.

2. Testing requirements.

3. Requiring a background investigation before obtaining
a license.

4. Disciplining attorneys.

5. Disbarring attorneys.

B. An attorney shall not be required to be a member of
any nongovernmental organization to become or remain a licensed attorney in
this state.
END_STATUTE