Arizona State Senate — Minutes of Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency (February 18, 2026)

Summary

These are the minutes of the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency of the Arizona State Senate, 57TH Legislature, Second Regular Session, for February 18, 2026, 9:00 A.M. in room SHR 109. The minutes name Senator Shawnna Bolick as Chairman and Senator Frank Carroll as Vice-Chairman, state that Chairman Bolick called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m., and list a disposition for each bill, such as SB 1176 DP and SB 1186 DPA. They record that SB 1668 received a DO PASS recommendation on a roll call vote of 4-3-0, and that SB 1286 received a DO PASS AMENDED recommendation, with the Bolick amendment adopted by voice vote, on a roll call vote of 4-3-0.

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“Arizona State Senate — Minutes of Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency (February 18, 2026).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2026-02-18-regulatory-affairs-and-government-efficiency-minutes-ec569388d7/, SHA-256 8acb4ea155735fe608f0376986b562e3213dae3b0dc3d6d1af5fc536bb514ba7.

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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
57TH LEGISLATURE
SECOND REGULAR SESSION

MINUTES OF COMMITTEE ON
REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY

DATE: February 18, 2026 TIME: 9:00 A.M. ROOM: SHR 109

CHAIRMAN: Senator Shawnna Bolick VICE-CHAIRMAN: Senator Frank Carroll

ANALYST: Jason Theodorou

ATTENDANCE BILLS

Committee Members Pr Ab Ex Bill Number Disposition
Senator Epstein X SB 1176 DP
Senator Fernandez X SB 1186 DPA
Senator Leach X SB 1235 DP
Senator Ortiz X SB 1286 DPA
Senator Payne X SB 1446 DP
Senator Carroll, Vice-chairman X SB 1458 DP
Senator Bolick, Chairman X SB 1515 DPA
SB 1616 DP
SB 1641 DP
SB 1668 DP
SB 1670 DP
SB 1678 DPA
SB 1747 DP
SB 1787 DP

Members of the public may access a livestream of the meeting here:
https://www.azleg.gov/videoplayer/?clientID=6361162879&eventID=2026021110
Chairman Bolick called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. and attendance was noted.

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS

SB 1668 – disposition; remains; authorization; legal decision-making – DO PASS

Nicholas Gustoff, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Assistant Analyst,
explained SB 1668.

Sandy Greenley, representing self, testified in support of SB 1668.

Becky Coffman, representing self, testified in support of SB 1668.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1668 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 4-3-0 (Attachment 1).

Senator Ortiz explained her vote.

SB 1286 – veterinarian visits; electronic means; prescriptions – DO PASS AMENDED

Nicholas Gustoff, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Assistant Analyst,
explained the 2-page Bolick amendment to SB 1286 dated 02/17/2026 at 3:30 p.m. (Attachment A).

Barbara Batke, representing self, testified in opposition to the amendment.

Lauren Thomas, representing self, testified in opposition to the amendment and answered questions
posed by the Committee.

Susie Stevens, Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, testified as neutral on SB 1286.

Dr. Jennifer Friar, representing self, testified in support of the amendment and answered questions
posed by the Committee.

Dr. Tia Chestnut, representing self, testified in support of SB 1286 and answered questions posed
by the Committee.

Senator Leach offered comments.

Dr. Chestnut offered comments.

Liz Goodman, Animal Policy Group, PETS, testified in support of SB 1286.

Senator Kavanagh, bill sponsor, further explained SB 1286.

Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
2 February 18, 2026
Senator Carroll moved that SB 1286 receive a DO PASS recommendation.

Senator Carroll moved the 2-page Bolick amendment to SB 1286 dated 02/17/2026
at 3:30 p.m. (Attachment A). be ADOPTED. The motion CARRIED by voice vote.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1286 as AMENDED receive a DO PASS
recommendation. The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 4-3-0 (Attachment 2).

Senators Leach, Epstein, Fernandez, Payne, Carroll and Bolick explained their votes.

SB 1235 – EMS reciprocity; compact. – DO PASS

Jason Theodorou, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Analyst,
explained SB 1235.

Senator Kavanagh, bill sponsor, further explained SB 1235.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1235 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 7-0-0 (Attachment 3).

SB 1446 – social workers; documentation; dialysis centers – DO PASS

Hayden Darst, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Intern,
explained SB 1446.

Barry Aarons, Da Vita Inc, testified in support of SB 1446 and distributed and explained a letter dated
February 18, 2025 (Attachment C).

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1446 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 7-0-0 (Attachment 4).

SB 1515 – industrial commission; revisions – DO PASS AMENDED

Jason Theodorou, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Analyst,
explained SB 1515 and the 28-page Bolick amendment to SB 1515 dated 2/16/2026 at 10:51 a.m.
(Attachment C).

Charles Carpenter, Industrial Commission of Arizona, testified in support of SB 1515.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1515 receive a DO PASS recommendation.

Senator Carroll moved the 28-page Bolick amendment to SB 1515 dated 02/16/2026
at 10:51 a.m. (Attachment C) be ADOPTED. The motion CARRIED by voice vote.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1515 as AMENDED receive a DO PASS
recommendation. The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 7-0-0 (Attachment 5).

Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
3 February 18, 2026
SB 1678 – health facilities; group homes; resident information – DO PASS AMENDED

Hayden Darst, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Intern,
explained SB 1678 and the 4-page Carroll amendment to SB 1678 dated 02/17/2026 at 2:28 p.m.
(Attachment D).

Steve Wagner, Member, Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee, testified in support of
SB 1678.

Brandy Petrone, Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities, testified in support
of SB 1678.

Jake Hinman, Assisted Living Federation of America, testified as neutral on SB 1678 and answered
questions posed by the Committee.

Marie Isaacson, Arizona Leading Age, testified as neutral on SB 1678.

Senator Dunn, bill sponsor, further explained SB 1678 and answered questions posed by the
Committee.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1678 receive a DO PASS recommendation.

Senator Carroll moved the 4-page Carroll amendment to SB 1678 dated 02/17/2026
at 2:28 p.m. (Attachment D) be ADOPTED. The motion CARRIED by voice vote.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1678 as AMENDED receive a DO PASS
recommendation. The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 6-0-1 (Attachment 6).

Senator Epstein explained her vote.

SB 1747 – social media; online content; minors. – DO PASS

Jason Theodorou, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Analyst,
explained SB 1747.

Patrick Hedger, NetChoice, testified in opposition to SB 1747 and submitted a written copy of his
testimony for the record. Mr. Hedger answered questions posed by the Committee.

Jose Torres, Deputy Executive Director, Southwest Technology Network (TechNet), testified in
opposition to SB 1747 and answered questions posed by the Committee.

Senator Bolick, bill sponsor, answered questions posed by the Committee.

Jennifer Hanley, Meta, testified in opposition to SB 1747.

Corinne Johnson, President, Utah Parents United, testified in support of SB 1747 and answered
questions posed by the Committee.

Senator Bolick offered comments.
Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
4 February 18, 2026
Senator Carroll moved that SB 1747 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 4-3-0 (Attachment 7).

Senators Epstein, Fernandez and Bolick explained their votes.

SB 1616 – business entities; licensees; exemptions – DO PASS

Hayden Darst, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Intern,
explained SB 1616.

Kelsey Lundy, Midwestern University, testified in support of SB 1616 and answered questions posed
by the Committee.

Anne McClellan, Midwestern University, testified in support of SB 1616.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1616 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 4-1-2 (Attachment 8).

SB 1176 – stormwater storage; replenishment credits – DO PASS

Sawyer Bessler, Natural Resources Committee Research Analyst, explained SB 1176.

Senator Petersen, bill sponsor, further explained SB 1176.

David Fernandez, Arizona Department of Water Resources, testified as neutral on SB 1176.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1176 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 4-2-1 (Attachment 9).

Senator Epstein explained her vote.

SB 1787 – exactions; individualized determinations; appeal – DO PASS

Jason Theodorou, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Analyst,
explained SB 1787.

Senator Petersen, bill sponsor, further explained SB 1787.

Spencer Kamps, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, testified in support of SB 1787
and answered questions posed by the Committee.

Senator Petersen answered questions posed by the Committee.

Jacob Emnett, County Supervisors Association, testified in opposition to SB 1787.

Jake Hinman, Arizona Neighborhood Project, testified in support of SB 1787 and answered
questions posed by the Committee.

Frank Cassidy, League of Arizona Cities and Towns, testified in opposition to SB 1787.
Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
5 February 18, 2026
Senator Petersen offered closing comments and answered questions posed by the Committee.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1787 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 5-1-1 (Attachment 10).

Senator Epstein explained her vote.

SB 1641 – marijuana producers; licensure – DO PASS

Nicholas Gustoff, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Assistant Analyst,
explained SB 1641.

Senator Payne, bill sponsor, further explained SB 1641 and distributed and explained a handout
entitled "Production Agreement" (Attachment E).

Kevin Sullivan, Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona, testified in support of SB 1641.

Jon Udell, representing self, testified in support of SB 1641 and answered questions posed by the
Committee.

Timothy Sparling, Arizona NORML, testified in support of SB 1641.

Senator Payne offered closing comments.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1641 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 7-0-0 (Attachment 11).

Senator Ortiz explained her vote.

SB 1670 – municipalities; counties; occupation; licensure; prohibition – DO PASS

Nicholas Gustoff, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Assistant Analyst,
explained SB 1670.

Senator Bolick, bill sponsor, further explained SB 1670 and answered questions posed by the
Committee.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1670 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 7-0-0 (Attachment 12).

SB 1186 – document retention; proposals; donations – DO PASS AMENDED

Jason Theodorou, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Analyst,
explained SB 1186 and the 2-page Bolick amendment to SB 1186 dated 02/16/2026 at 10:28 a.m.
(Attachment F).

Senator Bolick offered comments.

Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
6 February 18, 2026
Senator Carroll moved that SB 1186 receive a DO PASS recommendation.

Senator Carroll moved the 2-page Bolick amendment to SB 1186 dated 02/16/2026
at 10:28 a.m. (Attachment F) be ADOPTED. The motion CARRIED by voice vote.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1186 as AMENDED receive a DO PASS
recommendation. The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 4-3-0 (Attachment 13).

Senator Epstein explained her vote.

SB 1458 – pharmacy board; civil penalties – DO PASS

Hayden Darst, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Research Intern,
explained SB 1458.

Rick Hazelton, Stryker Sustainability Solutions, testified in support of SB 1458.

Senator Carroll moved that SB 1458 be returned with a DO PASS recommendation.
The motion CARRIED with a roll call vote of 7-0-0 (Attachment 14).

Attached is a list noting the individuals who registered their positions on the legislation (Attachment G).

Attached are the forms noting the individuals who submitted a Speaker slip on the legislation
(Attachment H).

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jackson Cooper
Committee Secretary

(Audio recordings and attachments are on file in the Secretary of the Senate’s Office/Resource Center, Room 115. Audio
archives are available at http://www.azleg.gov)

Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
7 February 18, 2026

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