PHOENIX — State lawmakers will have a lot more on their plate this legislative session than overarching issues like water, housing, voting and education. Among the likely debates:
Whether to ban serving “highly processed’’ foods at school meals. The focus is on certain artificial colors, similar to arguments being made at the federal level by Robert Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Shielding workers who don’t want to get vaccinated. The proposal would ensure that refusal to accept a drug that has only been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for “emergency use’’ — something that applies to certain COVID drugs — can’t lead to employees’ being fired.
Spelling out that students cannot use bathrooms, showers or locker rooms that do not match the person’s sex as defined at birth. A parallel measure says teachers can’t honor a student’s request to be referred to by a pronoun that doesn’t match his or her birth sex without a parent’s permission.
People are also reading…
Urging the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Department of Transportation to designate State Route 260 as Donald J. Trump Highway. The road runs from Verde Valley to Payson and Show Low and ends in Eagar.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ lawmakers are likely to debate whether to ban serving “highly processed’’ foods at school meals.
Banning the practice of “geoengineering,’’ defined as intentional manipulation of the environment through “polluting activities’’ to change the Earth’s atmosphere. Those include cloud seeding, solar radiation modification and aerosol injection, according to the bill.
Repealing a state law that makes it illegal to possess a silencer, defined as a “device that is designed, made or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm.’’ The devices are legal under federal law, but buyers must go through a more intensive screening than is required to purchase other weapons.
Prohibiting “wind farms’’ within six miles of someone else’s property unless there is consent.
Barring universities and community colleges from enacting rules that prohibit someone who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon from having the gun on campus.
Making it a crime to loiter in medians and traffic islands. The measure is billed as protecting safety but also is designed to cut down on people panhandling in the middle of streets.
Banning the sale of cosmetics that were developed using animal testing. The bill contains some exceptions, including when there is “not a non-animal alternative method or strategy.’’
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ legislators are likely to debate whether to repeal a state law that makes it illegal to possess a silencer, defined as a “device that is designed, made or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm.’’
Limiting or prohibiting foreign ownership of land. This is aimed in particular at agricultural interests that have availed themselves of lax water pumping laws in rural areas.
Eliminating state income taxes on tipped workers, a carbon copy of a proposal by incoming President Trump.
Further increasing criminal penalties for fentanyl trafficking.
Requiring schools that provide internet access to students to provide internet safety instruction. This includes information aimed at protecting students from online predators, avoiding internet scams and protecting students’ passwords and personal information.
Curbing — or promoting, depending on which side of the debate lawmakers are on — access to “vouchers’’ that allow parents to use state funds to send their children to private or parochial schools.
Requiring public universities to disclose certain foreign investments and ban partnerships with companies in countries considered “adversaries.’’
Reducing jobless benefits to workers who are laid off or fired for no fault of their own, based on the current state unemployment situation.
Fighting proposals that would require ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to take a larger share in cuts of Colorado River water than “upper basin’’ states.
Adding to requirements for able-bodied adults getting certain government-provided benefits to work or be engaged in education or training programs.
Allowing more internationally licensed doctors to practice in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, a move aimed at a shortage of physicians in certain areas. A related plan would provide incentives for health-care providers to work in certain areas.
Banning ranked-choice voting. GOP lawmakers put a proposal to do this on the 2024 ballot but it was defeated.
Making it a crime to knowingly pretend to be a veteran to obtain employment, secure votes, get campaign contributions or obtain political advantage. It also would criminalize wearing certain medals if not entitled to them.
Entitling a jury trial to anyone accused by the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Corporation Commission of a violation of securities laws.
Granting the right of any ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ citizen to sue any government official over an alleged unlawful act.
Making child care more affordable, whether through increased state subsidies or tax breaks.
Asking for a public vote to outlaw the death penalty. Prior efforts have failed when the sponsor could not get a hearing.
Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on X, and Threads at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com.
