Legislative recap on Housing, Hunger and Homelessness Bills
This legislative recap is from LAMA’s partners at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) dated May 1, with updated bill info as of May 6.
The last few weeks has seen the Legislature and Governor at odds over funding for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) program in Arizona. The program was set to run out of money on May 1st, which would have had significant consequences for families who rely on the program for their loved ones. Last Thursday, an agreement (HB2495) was made with the Governor and Legislature to continue this funding through June 30th, the end of the budget year. The bill uses $109 million from the state's Prescription Drug Rebate Fund.
During the time of disagreement, the Governor had issued a bill moratorium until an agreement was made about the DDD shortfall. This meant that any bills that came to her desk would be automatically vetoed until an agreement was reached. Now that the moratorium is lifted, bills have started moving again.
Focus will now has shifted to the State budget. As there is disagreement among the Legislature and the Governor about the budget and how the budget should be appropriated, this process will likely take some time.
Let's take a look at where the bills are that LAMA and LSS have been following.
Housing, Hunger and Homelessness Bills
HB2437-Drug Free Homeless Zone (Sponsor-Rep Matt Gress) (LAMA + LSS Oppose)- Passed Senate Third Read (May 6) and is ready for the House; it will likely keep moving and reach the Governor's desk.
Quick refresher: This bill would require signage which states that a facility providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness is a drug free homeless zone, and would also make staff criminally liable for not reporting drug usage or possession to law enforcement.
HB2803-Mixed Hoteling (Sponsor-Rep. Matt Gress) (LAMA + LSS Oppose) This bill passed Senate Committee of the Whole (May 6). It will likely keep moving and reach the Governor's desk.
Quick Refresher: This bill would require certain hotels to display signage stating that individuals experiencing homelessness are present and that guests should keep their property locked up. Service providers often work with hotels to house individuals for a temporary period of time until they find more permanent housing.
SB1229-Starter Homes Act (Sponsor: Sen. Shawna Bolick) (LAMA + LSS Support). This bill is waiting on the Committee of the Whole in the House. It is likely this bill may be amended as Governor Hobbs does not support it in its current format. The Governor wants to add provisions that ensure the houses built under the new regulations go to owner-occupants, rather than investors or anyone else. She proposed an outline that would require sales of new developments go to owner-occupants, and that if they sell the home in the first five years, it also goes to an owner-occupant.
Quick Refresher: Applies to municipalities with a population of more than 70,000. For single family home development, it prohibits cities and towns from adopting ordinances that can be barriers to developing affordable housing.
Hunger Bills
HB2122-Work requirement waivers; exemptions (Sponsor: Rep. Julie Willoughby) (LAMA + LSS Oppose). Passed Senate Third Read (April 29) and is ready for the House. It will likely keep moving and get to the Governor's desk.
Quick Refresher: Prohibits DES from applying for any waiver of SNAP work requirements for able-bodied adults and prohibits DES from providing any waivers from the work requirement.
HB2121-SNAP requirements (Sponsor: Rep. Julie Willoughby) (LAMA + LSS Oppose). Passed Senate Third Read (April 29) and is ready for the House. It will likely keep moving and get to the Governor's desk.
Quick Refresher: Able-bodied adults, under 60, who do not have children under the age of 6 who are receiving SNAP must: Participate in employment and training programs if they are not working at least 30 hours per week.
HB2165-Snap; prohibited purchases (Sponsor: Rep. Leo Biasiucci) (LAMA + LSS Oppose). This bill was sent to the Governor's desk and vetoed (April 15).
Quick Refresher: Would have required DES implement a waiver to exclude soda from the SNAP program, if the waiver wasn’t granted, would have required DES to apply for the waiver annually.