supreme court; attorney licensing

Plain English Breakdown

The official text confirms all specific powers listed in 'what_it_does' are included in Section A(1) through (5).

SB1148: Supreme Court Control Over Attorney Licensing

This bill requires the Arizona Supreme Court to handle all lawyer licensing and rules without sharing that power with other groups, while stopping any rule that forces lawyers to join outside organizations.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the supreme court to license attorneys for practicing law in the state.
• Prohibits the supreme court from giving its duty of licensing to another organization.
• Directs the supreme court to create rules about minimum qualifications, testing, and background checks.
• Gives the supreme court authority to discipline or disbar attorneys through new rules.
• Stops any rule that requires an attorney to join a nongovernmental group to get or keep a license.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Arizona Supreme Court
• Attorneys practicing law in the state

Terms To Know

Disbarring attorneys

Taking away a lawyer's license so they cannot practice law.

Nongovernmental organization

A group that is not part of the government, such as a private bar association or club.

Limits and Unknowns

• The governor vetoed this bill on April 13, 2026.
• It is unknown if lawmakers will vote to override the veto and make it law.
• Because of the veto, no effective date has been set for these changes.

Official Summary Text

SB1148 - supreme court; attorney licensing

Current 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