Gov. Katie Hobbs Takes Action: 7 Bills Signed, 2 Vetoed in Bold Legislative Move

PHOENIX — In a significant legislative move, Governor Katie Hobbs signed seven bills into law on Monday while vetoing two others that drew minimal support from Democrats in the Arizona Senate.

The vetoed legislation included House Bill 2012, which sought to prevent employers from mandating the use of products classified as “emergency use” by federal guidelines. In her veto letter, Hobbs expressed concerns that the bill could “jeopardize the public health of Arizonans.”

The governor also rejected Senate Bill 1050, aimed at implementing new posting requirements for Government Property Lease Excise Tax leases. She argued that this legislation could hinder Arizona’s economic development.

Among the bills signed into law was Senate Bill 1437, which adds school board members and substitute teachers to Arizona’s mandatory reporters for child abuse. This clarification garnered support from Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, who emphasized the importance of clear reporting procedures.

House Bill 2110 modifies requirements for certain municipalities, mandating the establishment of objective standards for multifamily residential development, including the adaptive reuse of office buildings.

Another key piece of legislation, House Bill 2127, mandates that property owners disclose any hazardous substance releases to prospective buyers and notify the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality when listing the property for sale.

Additionally, House Bill 2145 updates the eligibility criteria for registering as a sanitarian in Arizona. House Bill 2200 outlines qualifications for registration as a professional engineer, architect, land surveyor, or landscape architect in Arizona through reciprocity or endorsement.

House Bill 2291 simplifies regulations regarding prescription opioid containers, removing the requirement for them to have a red cap when not intended for immediate use.

Lastly, House Bill 2322 introduces a requirement for condominiums, mandating that common expenses benefiting only residential or commercial units be assessed against those specific units.

These legislative actions mark a pivotal moment for Arizona’s governance as Hobbs navigates the complexities of working with a predominantly Republican Legislature.