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Arizona Roofing Licensing Law

Arizona Code · 89 sections

The following is the full text of Arizona’s roofing licensing law statutes as published in the Arizona Code. For the official version, see the Arizona Legislature.


A.R.S. § 10-00120

10-120 - Filing requirements

10-120. Filing requirements

A. In order to qualify for filing by the commission, a document shall satisfy the requirements of this section and any other section of chapters 1 through 17 of this title that adds to or varies these requirements.

B. Chapters 1 through 17 of this title require or permit filing of the document in the office of the commission.

C. The document shall contain the information required by chapters 1 through 17 of this title. It may contain other information.

D. The document shall be typewritten or printed and shall be legible and capable of microfilm or other process reduction and subsequent reproduction as determined by the commission.

E. The document and any exhibits to the document shall be in the English language or accompanied by an English translation certified as accurate by or on behalf of the person causing the document to be delivered for filing.

F. The document shall be executed either:

  1. By the chairman of the board of directors of a domestic or foreign corporation, by its president or by another of its officers.

  2. If directors have not been selected or the corporation has not been formed, by an incorporator.

  3. If the corporation is in the hands of any receiver, trustee or other court appointed fiduciary, by that fiduciary.

G. The document shall state the name of each person who signs it and the capacity in which each person signs. The document may but need not contain:

  1. The corporate seal.

  2. An attestation by the secretary or an assistant secretary.

  3. An acknowledgment, verification or proof.

H. If the commission has prescribed a mandatory form for the document under section 10-121, the document shall be in or on the prescribed form.

I. Except as provided in subsection J of this section and sections 10-503 and 10-1509, the document shall be delivered to the office of the commission for filing and shall be accompanied by the correct fee and any other payment or penalty required by chapters 1 through 17 of this title or other law.

J. Notwithstanding subsection I of this section:

  1. A person may deliver by means of a fax or electronic transmission a document that is required or permitted by chapters 1 through 17 of this title to be delivered to the commission for filing. The person shall retain the original document for at least twelve months in the books and records of the corporation or of the person making the delivery for filing, if the delivery is not made on behalf of the corporation, and the person shall make the original document available for inspection and copying by the commission on reasonable notice.

  2. A document that is reproduced at a fax machine or through an electronic transmission at the commission is deemed delivered to the commission:

(a) On the date of the reproduction if reproduced on or before 5:00 p.m. mountain standard time and if the day is a business day of the commission.

(b) On the next succeeding business day if reproduced after 5:00 p.m. mountain standard time or on a day that is not a business day of the commission.

  1. On the request of the person transmitting the document, the commission shall confirm by fax or electronic transmission or other writing the receipt of the document.

  2. A person shall pay and deliver to the commission any fee or penalty imposed by section 10-122 or by any other section of chapters 1 through 17 of this title with respect to delivery of a document to the commission for filing in the manner as the commission determines.

  3. If the commission determines that the legality of the document reproduced by means of a fax or electronic transmission is not sufficient, the commission may require that either:

(a) The document be delivered to the commission by means of an additional fax or electronic transmission.

(b) An original document be delivered to the commission by means other than a fax or electronic transmission.

  1. The commission shall not file a document if any required amount is not paid as provided in paragraph 4 of this subsection or if any required additional counterpart is not delivered as provided in paragraph 5 of this subsection.

  2. A reproduced document delivered under this subsection is deemed to satisfy any requirement in chapters 1 through 17 of this title for delivery of an original and one or more copies of the document. A document subject to this paragraph is deemed to have been delivered on the date on which it was delivered as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection only if the first reproduction at a minimum permits identification of the corporation to which the document pertains and of the general nature of the document and the commission subsequently determines that paragraphs 4 and 5 of this subsection and any other requirements of chapters 1 through 17 of this title regarding the document have been satisfied.

  3. The commission may prescribe the format of an electronic document delivered to the commission pursuant to this subsection.


A.R.S. § 11-00323

11-323 - Solar construction permits; standards; definition

11-323. Solar construction permits; standards; definition

A. Counties shall adopt the following standards for issuing permits for the use of certain solar energy devices:

  1. For construction with solar photovoltaic systems that are intended to connect to a utility system, the following apply:

(a) The location of the photovoltaic system installation shall be indicated on the construction plans, including the roof plan and elevation.

(b) Photovoltaic panel mounting details shall be included in the installation plans.

(c) The electrical diagrams shall include one-line or three-line diagrams. A one-line or three-line electrical diagram is not required if a qualified online automated permitting platform is used to verify code compliance.

(d) For direct current to alternating current conversions, the cut sheet and listings for inverters shall be included in the plans.

(e) A county shall not require a stamp from a professional engineer for a solar photovoltaic system unless an engineering stamp is deemed necessary. If an engineering stamp is deemed necessary, the county shall provide the permittee a written explanation of why the engineering stamp is necessary.

(f) A county may use a qualified online automated permitting platform to verify code compliance in order to satisfy the requirements of subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) of this paragraph.

  1. For solar water heating systems, the following apply:

(a) The location of the solar panel system shall be indicated on the construction plans, including the roof plan and elevation, and shall include mounting details for panel installation.

(b) Construction plan notes shall include a requirement that solar water heating equipment be installed in compliance with applicable plumbing codes and as prescribed by a solar rating and certification corporation and any guidelines adopted by this state.

(c) A county shall not require a stamp from a professional engineer for a single-family solar water heating system unless an engineering stamp is deemed necessary. If an engineering stamp is deemed necessary, the county shall provide the permittee a written explanation of why the engineering stamp is necessary.

B. Any building or permit fee or charge assessed by a county for a building permit for solar construction must be attributable to and defray or cover the expense of the service for which the fee or charge is assessed. A fee or charge shall not exceed the actual cost of issuing a permit, and a written, itemized list of the individual costs associated with the permit fee shall be provided at the request of the permittee.

C. Before adoption of a fee for service or an additional or separate charge pursuant to this section, a county shall hold a public hearing on the issue with at least fifteen days' published notice.

D. The method by which a county arrives at an assessed permit or plan fee must be published and made available to the public.

E. For the purposes of this section, "qualified online automated permitting platform" means a web-based portal that automates plan review, produces code-compliant approvals and issues permits for residential solar energy systems and residential energy storage systems paired with residential solar energy systems in real time.


A.R.S. § 11-00832

11-832 - Appeals of county actions; dedication or exaction; excessive reduction in property value; burden of proof; attorney fees; compliance with court decisions

11-832. Appeals of county actions; dedication or exaction; excessive reduction in property value; burden of proof; attorney fees; compliance with court decisions

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a property owner may appeal the following actions relating to the owner's property by a county, or an administrative agency or official of a county, in the manner prescribed by this section:

  1. The requirement by a county of a dedication or exaction as a condition of granting approval for the use, improvement or development of real property. This section does not apply to a dedication or exaction that is required in a legislative act of the board of supervisors and that does not give discretion to an administrative agency or official to determine the nature or extent of the dedication or exaction.

  2. The adoption or amendment of a zoning regulation by a county that creates a taking in violation of subsection I.

B. The county shall notify the property owner that the property owner has the right to appeal the county's action pursuant to this section and shall provide a description of the appeal procedure. The county shall not request the property owner to waive the right of appeal or trial de novo at any time during the consideration of the property owner's request.

C. The appeal shall be in writing and filed with or mailed to a hearing officer designated by the board of supervisors within thirty days after the final action is taken. The county shall submit a takings impact report to the hearing officer. A fee shall not be charged for filing the appeal.

D. After receipt of an appeal, the hearing officer shall schedule a time for the appeal to be heard not later than thirty days after receipt. The property owner shall be given at least ten days' notice of the time when the appeal will be heard unless the property owner agrees to a shorter time period.

E. In all proceedings under this section the county has the burden to establish that there is an essential nexus between the dedication or exaction and a legitimate governmental interest and that the proposed dedication, exaction or zoning regulation is roughly proportional to the impact of the proposed use, improvement or development or, in the case of a zoning regulation, that the zoning regulation does not create a taking of property in violation of subsection I. If more than a single parcel is involved, this requirement applies to the entire property.

F. The hearing officer shall decide the appeal within five working days after the appeal is heard. If the county does not meet its burden under subsection E, the hearing officer shall:

  1. Modify or delete the requirement of the dedication or exaction appealed under subsection A, paragraph 1.

  2. In the case of a zoning regulation appealed under subsection A, paragraph 2, the hearing officer shall transmit a recommendation to the board of supervisors.

G. If the hearing officer modifies or affirms the requirement of the dedication, exaction or zoning regulation, a property owner aggrieved by a decision of the hearing officer, at any time within thirty days after the hearing officer has rendered a decision, may file a complaint for a trial de novo in the superior court on the facts and the law regarding the issues of the condition or requirement of the dedication, exaction or zoning regulation. Pursuant to the standards for granting preliminary injunctions, the court may exercise any legal or equitable interim remedies that will permit the property owner to proceed with the use, enjoyment and development of the real property but that will not render moot any decision upholding the dedication, exaction or zoning regulation.

H. All matters presented to the superior court pursuant to this section have preference on the court calendar on the same basis as condemnation matters, and the court may award reasonable attorney fees incurred in the appeal and trial pursuant to this section to the prevailing party. The court may further award damages that are deemed appropriate to compensate the property owner for direct and actual delay damages on a finding that the county acted in bad faith.

I. A county or an agency or instrumentality of a county shall comply with the United States Supreme Court cases of Dolan v. City of Tigard, 512 U.S. 374 (1994), Nollan v. California Coastal Commission, 483 U.S. 825 (1987), Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council, 505 U.S. 1003 (1992), First English Evangelical Lutheran Church v. County of Los Angeles, 482 U.S. 304 (1987), Palazzolo v. Rhode Island, 533 U.S. 606 (2001), Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council, Inc. v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 535 U.S. 320 (2002) and Arizona and federal appellate court decisions that are binding on Arizona counties interpreting or applying those cases.


A.R.S. § 11-01008

11-1008 - License fees for dogs; issuance of dog tags; exception; violation; classification

11-1008. License fees for dogs; issuance of dog tags; exception; violation; classification

A. The board of supervisors of each county may set a license fee that shall be paid for each dog three months of age or older that is kept, harbored or maintained within the boundaries of this state for at least thirty consecutive days of each calendar year. License fees shall become payable at the discretion of the board of supervisors of each county. The licensing period shall not exceed the period of time for revaccination as designated by the state veterinarian. License fees shall be paid within ninety days to the board of supervisors. A penalty fee of two dollars shall be paid if the license application is made less than one year after the date on which the dog is required to be licensed under this article. If the license application is made one year or later from the date on which the dog is required to be licensed, an additional penalty fee of ten dollars shall be paid for each subsequent year up to a maximum of twenty-two dollars. This penalty shall not be assessed against applicants who provide adequate proof that the dog to be licensed has been in their possession in this state less than thirty consecutive days.

B. If the board of supervisors adopts a license fee, the board shall provide durable dog tags. Each dog licensed under the terms of this article shall receive, at the time of licensing, such a tag on which shall be inscribed the name of the county, the number of the license and the year in which it expires. The tag shall be attached to a collar or harness that shall be worn by the dog at all times, except as otherwise provided in this article. Whenever a dog tag is lost, a replacement tag shall be issued on application by the owner and payment of a fee established by the board of supervisors.

C. The board of supervisors may set license fees that are lower for dogs permanently incapable of procreation. An applicant for a license for a dog claimed to be incapable of procreation shall provide adequate proof satisfactory to the county enforcement agent that the dog has been surgically altered to be permanently incapable of procreation.

D. All fees and penalties shall be deposited in the rabies control fund pursuant to section 11-1011.

E. Any person who knowingly fails within fifteen days after written notification from the county enforcement agent to obtain a license for a dog required to be licensed, counterfeits an official dog tag, removes such tag from any dog for the purpose of intentional and malicious mischief or places a dog tag on a dog unless the tag was issued for that particular dog is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

F. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, the board of supervisors of each county may not charge an individual who has a disability and who uses a service animal as defined in section 11-1024, a person that trains a service animal as defined in section 11-1024 or an individual who uses a search and rescue dog a license fee for that dog. An applicant for a license for a:

  1. Search and rescue dog shall provide adequate proof satisfactory to the county enforcement agent that the dog is a search and rescue dog.

  2. Service animal shall sign a written statement that the dog is a service animal as defined in section 11-1024. A person who makes a false statement pursuant to this paragraph is guilty of a petty offense and is subject to a fine that does not exceed fifty dollars. The statement to be signed shall be substantially in the following form:

By signing this document, I declare that the dog to be licensed is a service animal as defined in section 11-1024, Arizona Revised Statutes, and I understand that a person who makes a false statement pursuant to section 11-1008, Arizona Revised Statutes, is guilty of a petty offense and is subject to a fine that does not exceed fifty dollars.


A.R.S. § 11-01013

11-1013 - Establishment of county pounds; impounding and disposing of dogs and cats; owner notification; reclaiming impounded dogs and cats; pound fees

11-1013. Establishment of county pounds; impounding and disposing of dogs and cats; owner notification; reclaiming impounded dogs and cats; pound fees

A. The board of supervisors in each county may provide or authorize a county pound or pounds or enter into a cooperative agreement with a city or town, a veterinarian or an Arizona incorporated humane society to establish and operate a county pound.

B. Any stray dog shall be impounded. All dogs and cats impounded shall be given proper care and maintenance.

C. All dogs and cats impounded at a county pound or at a city or town facility, a veterinarian or an Arizona incorporated humane society that has entered into a cooperative agreement with a county pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be thoroughly scanned for the presence of a microchip on being impounded and a reasonable effort shall be made to contact the owner.

D. All deceased dogs and cats found in a public place and brought to a county pound or to a city or town facility, a veterinarian or an Arizona incorporated humane society that has entered into a cooperative agreement with a county pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be scanned for the presence of a microchip and a reasonable effort shall be made to contact the owner.

E. Each stray dog or any cat impounded and not eligible for a sterilization program shall be kept and maintained at the county pound for a minimum of seventy-two hours or one hundred twenty hours for an animal that is impounded with a microchip or wearing a license or any other discernible form of owner identification, unless claimed or surrendered by its owner. Any person may purchase a dog or cat on expiration of the impoundment period, if the person pays all pound fees established by the county board of supervisors and complies with the licensing and vaccinating provisions of this article. If the dog or cat is to be used for medical research, a license or vaccination is not required. Any impounded cat that is eligible for a sterilization program and that will be returned to the vicinity where the cat was originally captured may be exempted from the mandatory holding period required by this subsection. For the purposes of this subsection, "eligible" means a cat that is living outdoors, lacks discernible identification, is of sound health and possesses its claws.

F. Any impounded licensed dog or any cat may be reclaimed by its owner or the owner's agent if the person reclaiming the dog or cat furnishes proof of the person's right to do so and pays all pound fees established by the board of supervisors. Any person purchasing a dog or cat shall pay all pound fees established by the board of supervisors.

G. If the dog or cat is not reclaimed within the impoundment period, the county enforcement agent shall take possession of and may place the dog or cat for sale or may dispose of the dog or cat in a humane manner. The county enforcement agent may euthanize impounded sick or injured dogs or cats if necessary to prevent the dog or cat from suffering or to prevent the spread of disease.


A.R.S. § 11-01029

11-1029 - Hearing on disposition of vicious animals; forfeiture; exception

11-1029. Hearing on disposition of vicious animals; forfeiture; exception

A. A peace officer, county enforcement agent or animal control officer who has impounded an animal pursuant to section 11-1014, on a showing of probable cause that the animal is vicious or may be a danger to the safety of any person or other animal, may request a disposition hearing before a justice of the peace or city magistrate to determine whether the animal is vicious. The hearing shall be set within fifteen business days after the request has been filed.

B. The officer or agent who has requested a hearing under subsection A of this section shall serve the order on the owner of the animal either by personal service on the owner or by leaving a copy of the order with a person of suitable discretion at the owner's residence or place of business. Proof of service shall be filed with the court. If the justice of the peace or city magistrate determines that the animal is vicious, the justice of the peace or city magistrate may order that the animal be forfeited to the officer or agent for transfer to a legally incorporated humane society, county animal shelter or approved rescue agency or be humanely euthanized. The owner shall pay impound fees and any other costs for boarding or necessary veterinary care. If the justice of the peace or city magistrate determines that the animal is not vicious, the justice of the peace or city magistrate may order the animal returned to the owner, except that if the owner fails to appear at the hearing, the justice of the peace or city magistrate may order that the animal be forfeited to the officer or agent for transfer to a legally incorporated humane society, county animal shelter or approved rescue agency and be made available for adoption or humane euthanasia.

C. This section does not apply to seizing an equine pursuant to section 3-1721 or to a city, town or county that adopts or has adopted an ordinance or resolution providing for forfeiting a vicious animal if the ordinance or resolution imposes requirements that are equal to or more stringent than this section.


A.R.S. § 11-01051

11-1051 - Cooperation and assistance in enforcement of immigration laws; indemnification

11-1051. Cooperation and assistance in enforcement of immigration laws; indemnification

A. No official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state may limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law.

B. For any lawful stop, detention or arrest made by a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency of this state or a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency of a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state in the enforcement of any other law or ordinance of a county, city or town or this state where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien and is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person, except if the determination may hinder or obstruct an investigation. Any person who is arrested shall have the person's immigration status determined before the person is released. The person's immigration status shall be verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373(c). A law enforcement official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state may not consider race, color or national origin in implementing the requirements of this subsection except to the extent permitted by the United States or Arizona Constitution. A person is presumed to not be an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States if the person provides to the law enforcement officer or agency any of the following:

  1. A valid Arizona driver license.

  2. A valid Arizona nonoperating identification license.

  3. A valid tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification.

  4. If the entity requires proof of legal presence in the United States before issuance, any valid United States federal, state or local government issued identification.

C. If an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States is convicted of a violation of state or local law, on discharge from imprisonment or on the assessment of any monetary obligation that is imposed, the United States immigration and customs enforcement or the United States customs and border protection shall be immediately notified.

D. Notwithstanding any other law, a law enforcement agency may securely transport an alien who the agency has received verification is unlawfully present in the United States and who is in the agency's custody to a federal facility in this state or to any other point of transfer into federal custody that is outside the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency. A law enforcement agency shall obtain judicial authorization before securely transporting an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States to a point of transfer that is outside of this state.

E. In the implementation of this section, an alien's immigration status may be determined by:

  1. A law enforcement officer who is authorized by the federal government to verify or ascertain an alien's immigration status.

  2. The United States immigration and customs enforcement or the United States customs and border protection pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373(c).

F. Except as provided in federal law, officials or agencies of this state and counties, cities, towns and other political subdivisions of this state may not be prohibited or in any way be restricted from sending, receiving or maintaining information relating to the immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual or exchanging that information with any other federal, state or local governmental entity for the following official purposes:

  1. Determining eligibility for any public benefit, service or license provided by any federal, state, local or other political subdivision of this state.

  2. Verifying any claim of residence or domicile if determination of residence or domicile is required under the laws of this state or a judicial order issued pursuant to a civil or criminal proceeding in this state.

  3. If the person is an alien, determining whether the person is in compliance with the federal registration laws prescribed by title II, chapter 7 of the federal immigration and nationality act.

  4. Pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373 and 8 United States Code section 1644.

G. This section does not implement, authorize or establish and shall not be construed to implement, authorize or establish the REAL ID act of 2005 (P.L. 109-13, division B; 119 Stat. 302), including the use of a radio frequency identification chip.

H. A person who is a legal resident of this state may bring an action in superior court to challenge any official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state that adopts or implements a policy that limits or restricts the enforcement of federal immigration laws, including 8 United States Code sections 1373 and 1644, to less than the full extent permitted by federal law. If there is a judicial finding that an entity has violated this section, the court shall order that the entity pay a civil penalty of not less than five hundred dollars and not more than five thousand dollars for each day that the policy has remained in effect after the filing of an action pursuant to this subsection.

I. A court shall collect the civil penalty prescribed in subsection H of this section and remit the civil penalty to the state treasurer for deposit in the gang and immigration intelligence team enforcement mission fund established by section 41-1724.

J. The court may award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to any person or any official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state that prevails by an adjudication on the merits in a proceeding brought pursuant to this section.

K. Except in relation to matters in which the officer is adjudged to have acted in bad faith, a law enforcement officer is indemnified by the law enforcement officer's agency against reasonable costs and expenses, including attorney fees, incurred by the officer in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought pursuant to this section in which the officer may be a defendant by reason of the officer being or having been a member of the law enforcement agency.

L. This section shall be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws regulating immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons and respecting the privileges and immunities of United States citizens.


A.R.S. § 12-00302

12-302 - Extension of time for payment of fees and costs; relief from default for nonpayment; deferral or waiver of court fees and costs; definitions

12-302. Extension of time for payment of fees and costs; relief from default for nonpayment; deferral or waiver of court fees and costs; definitions

A. The court or any judge may for good cause shown extend the time for paying any court fees and costs required by law or may relieve against a default caused by nonpayment of a fee within the time provided by law, but no fees paid shall be refunded.

B. The supreme court shall adopt forms and procedures for deferral or waiver of court fees and costs.

C. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, the court shall grant an application for deferral of court fees and costs if the applicant establishes by affidavit, including supporting documentation, that the applicant either:

  1. Is receiving benefits pursuant to one or more of the following programs:

(a) The temporary assistance for needy families program established by section 403 of title 4 of the social security act as it exists after August 21, 1996.

(b) The food stamp program (7 United States Code sections 2011 through 2029).

  1. Is receiving benefits pursuant to the supplemental security income program (42 United States Code sections 1381 through 1385).

  2. Has an income that is insufficient or barely sufficient to meet the daily essentials of life and that includes no allotment that could be budgeted for the fees and costs that are required to gain access to the court. In considering insufficient income pursuant to this paragraph, the court may consider the following as evidence of insufficient income:

(a) The applicant has a gross income that as computed on a monthly basis is one hundred fifty percent or less of the current poverty level established by the United States department of health and human services. Gross monthly income includes the applicant's share of community property income.

(b) The applicant's income is considered to be sufficient, but the applicant provides proof of extraordinary expenses, including medical expenses, costs of care for elderly family members or family members with disabilities or other expenses that are deemed extraordinary, that reduce the applicant's gross monthly income to at or below one hundred fifty percent of the current poverty level established by the United States department of health and human services.

D. On proof that the applicant is permanently unable to pay fees or costs, the court shall waive them. For the purposes of this subsection, "permanently unable to pay" means the applicant's income and liquid assets are insufficient or barely sufficient to meet the daily essentials of life and the income and liquid assets are unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

E. Except in cases of dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment or establishment, enforcement or modification of child support, and notwithstanding subsection A of this section or chapter 9, article 4 of this title, if the applicant is an inmate who is confined to a correctional facility operated by the state department of corrections and who initiates a civil action or proceeding, the inmate is responsible for the full payment of actual court fees and costs. On filing the civil action or proceeding, the clerk of the court shall assess and, when monies exist, collect as a partial payment of any court fees and costs required by law a first time payment of twenty percent. Thereafter the state department of corrections shall withhold twenty percent of all deposits into the prisoner's spendable account administered by the department until the actual court fees and costs are collected in full. The state department of corrections shall annually forward any monies withheld to the clerk of the court of each court of jurisdiction before January 31. If a prisoner is released before the full fees and costs are collected, the state department of corrections shall forward the amount of fees and costs collected through the date of the prisoner's release. The clerk of the court of each court of jurisdiction is responsible for sending the state department of corrections a copy of the order mandating the amount of fees and costs to be paid. This subsection does not prohibit an applicant from filing a civil action or proceeding if the applicant is unable to pay the filing fees.

F. At the time an applicant signs and submits the application for deferral to the court, the applicant shall acknowledge under oath and sign a consent to judgment. By signing the consent to judgment, the applicant consents to judgment being entered against the applicant for all fees and costs that are deferred but that remain unpaid after thirty calendar days following the entry of final judgment or order. A consent judgment may be entered against the applicant unless one of the following applies:

  1. The applicant has an established schedule of payment in effect and is current with payments.

  2. A supplemental application for further deferral or waiver has been filed and is pending.

  3. In response to a supplemental application, the court orders that the fees and costs be further deferred or waived.

  4. Within twenty days of the date the court denies the supplemental application, the applicant either pays the fees or requests a hearing on the court's final order denying further deferral or waiver. If the applicant requests a hearing, the court shall not enter a consent judgment unless a hearing is held, further deferral or waiver is denied and payment has not been made within the time prescribed by the court.

G. An applicant who is granted a deferral or waiver or a party to the action who knows of any change in the financial circumstances of the applicant shall promptly notify the court of the change in the applicant's financial circumstances during the pendency of the action that affects the applicant's ability to pay court fees and costs. If within ten days after notice and a hearing the court determines that the applicant's financial circumstances have changed and that the applicant no longer meets the eligibility requirements of this section, the court shall order the applicant to pay the deferred or waived fees and costs.

H. The following court fees and costs may be deferred or waived, except that the county shall pay the fees and costs in paragraphs 6 and 7 of this subsection on the granting of an application for deferral or waiver and an applicant who has been granted a deferral shall reimburse the county for the fees and costs in paragraphs 6 and 7 of this subsection:

  1. Filing fees.

  2. Fees for issuance of either a summons or subpoena.

  3. Fees for obtaining one certified copy of a temporary order in a domestic relations case.

  4. Fees for obtaining one certified copy of a final order, judgment or decree in all civil proceedings.

  5. Sheriff, marshal, constable and law enforcement fees for service of process if any of the following applies:

(a) The applicant established by affidavit that the applicant has attempted without success to obtain voluntary acceptance of service of process.

(b) The applicant's attempt to obtain voluntary acceptance of service of process would be futile or dangerous.

(c) An order of protection or an injunction against harassment in favor of the applicant and against the party sought to be served exists and is enforceable.

  1. The fee for service by publication if service is required by law and if the applicant establishes by affidavit specific facts to show that the applicant has exercised due diligence in attempting to locate the person to be served and has been unable to do so.

  2. Court reporter's fees for the preparation of court transcripts if the court reporter is employed by the court.

  3. Appeal preparation and filing fees at all levels of appeal and photocopy fees for the preparation of the record on appeal pursuant to sections 12-119.01, 12-120.31 and 12-2107 and section 12-284, subsection A.

I. If the case is appealed, the initial deferral or waiver remains in effect unless there is a change in the applicant's financial circumstances. If a case is appealed an applicant may be required to submit to the appellate court a new application for a deferral or waiver of the court fees and costs.

J. If a judgment is rendered for court fees and costs, the court fees and costs deferred but unpaid and the expenses paid by the county under this section shall be included in the judgment and shall be paid directly to the clerk of the court by the party against whom the court fees and costs were assessed.

K. A waiver of court fees or costs shall not be granted for:

  1. Matters that are filed as class actions pursuant to rule 23 of the Arizona rules of civil procedure.

  2. Civil actions other than cases of dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment or establishment, enforcement or modification of child support that are filed by persons who at the time of filing the application are incarcerated as a result of a felony conviction in an out-of-state correctional facility or in a jail waiting to be transported to a state department of corrections facility.

  3. Civil actions other than cases of dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment or establishment, enforcement or modification of child support filed by a pro se litigant who has been previously declared a vexatious litigant by any court.

L. This section does not limit the court's discretion in deferring, waiving or ordering the county to pay any fees and costs as may be necessary and appropriate.

M. If an applicant who is granted a deferral or waiver is found to be a vexatious litigant by any court during the pendency of the action, the court shall order the applicant to pay the deferred or waived fees and costs.

N. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Deferral" means either postponement of an obligation to pay fees or establishment of a schedule for payment of fees.

  2. "Further deferral" means the establishment of a schedule for payment of fees.


A.R.S. § 12-00511

12-511 - Civil action arising from criminal conduct; definitions

12-511. Civil action arising from criminal conduct; definitions

A. Notwithstanding sections 12-505 and 12-542, if a defendant is charged by a criminal complaint or indictment the statute of limitations for any civil cause of action that is brought by a victim against the defendant for criminal conduct against the victim is extended for one year from the final disposition of the criminal proceedings, regardless of whether the defendant is convicted of criminal conduct against the victim.

B. There is no duty under a policy of insurance to defend or indemnify for any loss resulting from criminal conduct if the civil action is not commenced within the time period that would be applicable without any tolling or extension of the statute of limitations pursuant to this section.

C. This section does not toll or extend any statute of limitations applicable to a civil cause of action brought against the employer or former employer of any defendant who is subject to this section.

D. This section does not shorten any other applicable tolling provisions.

E. In any action brought pursuant to this section, the standard of proof is by the preponderance of the evidence.

F. This section applies to all cases in which the victim files a civil action within one year after the final disposition of the defendant's criminal proceedings, regardless of when the defendant committed the criminal conduct.

G. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Civil cause of action" means any civil claim that the victim could have brought against the defendant for criminal conduct committed against the victim regardless of whether any of these incidents was criminally prosecuted.

  2. "Criminal conduct":

(a) Means any act, including all preparatory offenses, in violation of section 13-1103, 13-1104, 13-1105, 13-1202, 13-1203, 13-1204, 13-1208, 13-1304, 13-1404, 13-1405, 13-1406, 13-1410, 13-1417, 13-2314.04, 13-2915, 13-2916, 13-2921, 13-2921.01, 13-3019, 13-3552, 13-3553, 13-3554, 13-3601 or 13-3601.02.

(b) Includes any act involving sexual assault of a spouse that was committed before the effective date of this amendment to this section.

  1. "Defendant" means a natural person.

  2. "Final disposition" has the same meaning prescribed in sections 8-382 and 13-4401.

  3. "Victim" has the same meaning prescribed in sections 8-382 and 13-4401.


A.R.S. § 12-00515

12-515 - Emergency declaration for a public health pandemic; immunity from liability; burden of proof; presumption; applicability; definition

12-515. Emergency declaration for a public health pandemic; immunity from liability; burden of proof; presumption; applicability; definition

A. If the governor declares a state of emergency for a public health pandemic pursuant to title 26, chapter 2, a person or provider that acts in good faith to protect a customer, student, tenant, volunteer, patient, guest or neighbor or the public from injury from the public health pandemic is not liable for damages in any civil action for any injury, death or loss to person or property that is based on a claim that the person or provider failed to protect the customer, student, tenant, volunteer, patient, guest, neighbor or public from the effects of the public health pandemic unless it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the person or provider failed to act or acted and the failure to act or action was due to that person's or provider's wilful misconduct or gross negligence. A person or provider is presumed to have acted in good faith if the person or provider adopted and implemented reasonable policies related to the public health pandemic.

B. This section applies to all claims that are filed before or after September 29, 2021 for an act or omission by a person or provider that occurred on or after March 11, 2020 and that relates to a public health pandemic that is the subject of the state of emergency declared by the governor.

C. This section does not apply to any claim that is subject to title 23, chapter 6.

D. For the purposes of this section, "provider" means any of the following:

  1. A person who furnishes consumer or business goods or services or entertainment.

  2. An educational institution or district.

  3. A school district or charter school.

  4. A property owner, property manager or property lessor or lessee.

  5. A nonprofit organization.

  6. A religious institution.

  7. This state or an agency or instrumentality of this state.

  8. A local government or political subdivision of this state, including a department, agency or commission of a local government or political subdivision of this state.

  9. A service provider as defined in section 36-551.

  10. A health professional as defined in section 32-3201, including a person who is supervised by the health professional in the course of providing health care services.

  11. A health care institution as defined in section 36-401.


A.R.S. § 12-00516

12-516 - Emergency declaration for a public health pandemic; immunity from liability for health professionals or health care institutions; burden of proof; presumption; applicability; definitions

12-516. Emergency declaration for a public health pandemic; immunity from liability for health professionals or health care institutions; burden of proof; presumption; applicability; definitions

A. If the governor declares a state of emergency for a public health pandemic pursuant to title 26, chapter 2, a health professional or health care institution that acts in good faith is not liable for damages in any civil action for an injury or death that is alleged to be caused by the health professional's or health care institution's action or omission while providing health care services in support of this state's response to the state of emergency declared by the governor unless it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the health professional or health care institution failed to act or acted and the failure to act or action was due to that health professional's or health care institution's wilful misconduct or gross negligence.Â

B. Subsection A of this section applies to any action or omission that is alleged to have occurred during a person's screening, assessment, diagnosis or treatment and that is related to the public health pandemic that is the subject of the state of emergency or any action or omission that occurs in the course of providing a person with health care services and that is unrelated to the public health pandemic that is the subject of the state of emergency if the health professional's or health care institution's action or omission was in good faith support of this state's response to the state of emergency, including any of the following:

  1. Delaying or canceling a procedure that the health professional determined in good faith was a nonurgent or elective dental, medical or surgical procedure.

  2. Providing nursing care or procedures.

  3. Altering a person's diagnosis or treatment in response to an order, directive or guideline that is issued by the federal government, this state or a local government.

  4. An act or omission undertaken by a health professional or health care institution because of a lack of staffing, facilities, equipment, supplies or other resources that are attributable to the state of emergency and that render the health professional or health care institution unable to provide the level or manner of care to a person that otherwise would have been required in the absence of the state of emergency.

C. A health professional or health care institution is presumed to have acted in good faith if the health professional or health care institution relied on and reasonably attempted to comply with applicable published guidance relating to the public health pandemic that was issued by a federal or state agency. This subsection does not prohibit a party from introducing any other evidence that proves the health professional or health care institution acted in good faith.

D. In the case of a claim against a nursing care institution or residential care institution, where the care in question did not directly relate to the public health pandemic, the burden is on the facility to prove that the act or omission was a direct result of having to provide care to patients needing treatment for the pandemic or due to limitations in equipment, supplies or staff caused by the pandemic.

E. This section applies to all claims that are filed before or after September 29, 2021 for an act or omission by a person that occurred on or after March 11, 2020 and that relates to a public health pandemic that is the subject of the state of emergency declared by the governor.

F. This section does not apply to any claim that is subject to title 23, chapter 6.

G. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Health care institution" has the same meaning prescribed in section 36-401 and includes an ambulance service as defined in section 36-2201.

  2. "Health professional" has the same meaning prescribed in section 32-3201 and includes an ambulance attendant as defined in section 36-2201.


A.R.S. § 12-00573

12-573 - Limited liability for treatment related to delivery of infants; exception; definition

12-573. Limited liability for treatment related to delivery of infants; exception; definition

A. Unless the elements of proof contained in section 12-563 are established by clear and convincing evidence, a physician licensed to practice pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 is not liable to the pregnant female patient, the child or children delivered or their families for medical malpractice related to labor or delivery rendered on an emergency basis if the patient was not previously treated for the pregnancy by the physician, by a physician in a group practice with the physician or by a physician, physician assistant or certified nurse midwife with whom the physician has an agreement to attend the labor and delivery of the patient.

B. Unless the elements of proof contained in section 12-563 are established by clear and convincing evidence regarding the acts or omissions of a licensed health care facility or its employees in cases that are covered by subsection A of this section, the health care facility is not liable to the female patient, the child or children delivered or their families for medical malpractice related to labor or delivery.

C. This section does not apply to treatment that is rendered in connection with labor and delivery if the patient has been seen regularly by or under the direction of a licensed health care provider or a licensed physician from whom the patient's medical information is immediately available to the physicians attending the patient during labor and delivery.

D. For the purposes of this section, "emergency" means when labor has begun or a condition exists requiring the delivery of the child or children.


A.R.S. § 12-00671

12-671 - Drawing check or draft on no account or insufficient account with intent to defraud; civil action; definition of credit; prima facie evidence

12-671. Drawing check or draft on no account or insufficient account with intent to defraud; civil action; definition of credit; prima facie evidence

A. A person who, for himself or for another, with intent to defraud, makes, draws, utters or delivers to another person or persons a check or draft on a bank or depositary for payment of money, knowing at the time of such making, drawing, uttering or delivery, that he or his principal does not have an account or does not have sufficient funds in, or credit with, such bank or depositary to meet the check or draft in full upon presentation, shall be liable to the holder of such check or draft for twice the amount of such check or draft or fifty dollars, whichever is greater, together with costs and reasonable attorney's fees as allowed by the court on the basis of time and effort expended by such attorney on behalf of plaintiff.

B. The word "credit" as used in this section shall be construed to be an express agreement with the bank or depositary for payment of the check or draft.

C. Proof that, at the time of presentment, the maker, issuer or drawer did not have sufficient funds with the bank or depositary, and that he failed within twelve days after receiving notice of nonpayment or dishonor to pay the check or draft is prima facie evidence of intent to defraud.

D. Where a check, draft or order is protested, on the ground of insufficiency of funds or credit, the notice of formal protest thereof shall be admissible as proof of presentation, nonpayment and protest and shall be prima facie evidence of the insufficiency of funds or credit with the bank or depositary, or person, or firm or corporation.

E. "Notice", as used in this section, means notice given to the person entitled thereto, either in person, or in writing. Such notice in writing shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person at his address as it appears on such check or draft.

F. Nothing in this section shall be applicable to any criminal case or affect eligibility or terms of probation.


A.R.S. § 12-00751

12-751 - Strategic actions against public participation; motion to dismiss or quash; definitions

12-751. Strategic actions against public participation; motion to dismiss or quash; definitions

A. In any legal action that involves a person's lawful exercise of the right of petition, the right of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to freely associate or the right to peaceably assemble pursuant to the United States Constitution or Arizona Constitution, the person other than a state actor or an intervenor may file a motion to dismiss or quash the action under this section.Â

B. A person who files a motion pursuant to subsection A of this section has the burden of establishing prima facie proof that the legal action was substantially motivated by a desire to deter, retaliate against or prevent the lawful exercise of a constitutional right. The moving person may submit evidence based on the record, a sworn affidavit or other evidence that is submitted with the motion to dismiss or quash. A party is not required to file a response to a motion filed pursuant to subsection A of this section unless and until the court finds that the moving party has established the prima facie proof and orders the party to file a response. The court shall grant the motion unless one of the following applies:

  1. If the responding party is a state actor, the responding party shows that the legal action on which the motion is based is justified by clearly established law and that the responding party did not act in order to deter, prevent or retaliate against the moving party's exercise of constitutional rights. A state actor may satisfy the requirements of this paragraph by doing any of the following:

(a) Establishing that the person who initiated and conducted an investigation that resulted in the legal action and that made the decision to pursue the legal action was unaware of the movant's lawful exercise of the constitutional right.

(b) Establishing that the state actor has a consistent practice of pursuing similar legal actions against similarly situated persons who did not lawfully exercise constitutional rights.

(c) Producing any other evidence that the court finds sufficient.

  1. If the responding party is not a state actor, the responding party shows that the legal action on which the motion is based is justified by existing law or supported by a reasonable argument for extending or modifying existing law.

C. In making its determination, the court shall conduct an evidentiary hearing or consider the pleadings and supporting and opposing affidavits stating facts on which the liability, defense or action is based.Â

D. The motion to dismiss or quash may be filed within sixty days after the service of the complaint or other document on which the motion is based or, in the court's discretion, at any later time on terms that the court deems proper, including a later time after there is actual notice of a party's misconduct. If the court finds that prima facie proof has been established as prescribed in subsection B of this section, the court, if possible, shall conduct an expedited hearing on the motion.

E. Unless a court rule specifically provides otherwise, all discovery proceedings in the action shall be stayed on a finding of prima facie proof as prescribed in subsection B of this section. The stay of discovery shall remain in effect until notice of entry of the order ruling on the motion. Notwithstanding this subsection, the court, on noticed motion and for good cause shown, may order that specified discovery be conducted.

F. If the court grants the motion to dismiss or quash, the court may award the moving party costs and reasonable attorney fees, including those incurred for the motion. If the court finds that a motion to dismiss or quash is frivolous or solely intended to delay, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party on the motion. For the purposes of this subsection, "costs" means all costs that are reasonably incurred and includes filing fees, record preparation and document copying fees, documented time away from employment to confer with counsel or attend case related proceedings, expert witness fees, travel expenses and any other costs that the court deems appropriate.

G. If the court denies the motion to dismiss or quash, the denial and the court's findings in support of the denial are not admissible in evidence at any later stage of the case, or in any subsequent action, and the burden of proof or degree of proof that is otherwise applicable is not affected by the findings in any later stage of the case or in any subsequent proceeding.

H. If the court determines that the moving party has established prima facie proof as prescribed in subsection B of this section, an order granting or denying a motion filed pursuant to this section is appealable pursuant to section 12-2101.

I. This article does not:

  1. Affect, limit or preclude the right of the moving party to any remedy otherwise authorized by law.

  2. Create any privileges or immunities or otherwise affect, limit or preclude any privileges or immunities authorized by law.

  3. Limit or preclude a legislative or executive body or a public agency from enforcing the rules of procedure and rules of order of the body or agency.

J. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Legal action":

(a) Means any of the following:

(i) Any civil action, claim, cross-claim or counterclaim for damages other than nominal damages.

(ii) Any criminal prosecution, except for a drug trafficking offense included in title 13, chapter 34 or 34.1, a riot or a serious offense or violent or aggravated felony as defined in section 13-706.

(iii) Any written investigative demand pursuant to section 38-431.06 or other compulsory legal process or any regulatory or administrative action by a state actor.

(b) Does not include a motion filed pursuant to subsection A of this section.

  1. "State actor" means any of the following:

(a) This state and any county, city, town or political subdivision of this state.

(b) Any branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council or committee of an entity included in subdivision (a) of this paragraph.

(c) Any officer, employee or other agent of an entity included in subdivision (a) of this paragraph who is acting in the officer's, employee's or agent's official capacity.


A.R.S. § 12-00782

12-782 - Asbestos exposure related claims; disclosures; discovery; mandatory claims; stay of proceedings; assignment of rights and claims; remedies; definitions

12-782. Asbestos exposure related claims; disclosures; discovery; mandatory claims; stay of proceedings; assignment of rights and claims; remedies; definitions

A. In any action involving a personal injury claim, within forty-five days after July 3, 2015 for pending personal injury claims in which the defendant's answer has been filed or within forty-five days after the filing of the defendant's answer in a lawsuit involving a personal injury claim, whichever is later, the plaintiff shall provide to all parties a sworn statement identifying each personal injury claim that the plaintiff has filed or reasonably anticipates filing against an asbestos trust. The statement for each claim shall include the name, address and contact information for the asbestos trust, the amount claimed by the plaintiff, the date that the plaintiff filed the claim, the disposition of the claim and whether there has been a request to defer, delay, suspend or toll the claim against the asbestos trust.

B. In any action involving a personal injury claim, within sixty days after July 3, 2015 for pending personal injury claims in which the defendant's answer has been filed or within sixty days after the filing of the defendant's answer in a lawsuit involving a personal injury claim, whichever is later, the plaintiff shall provide to all parties all of the following:

  1. For each personal injury claim that the plaintiff has filed against an asbestos trust, a copy of the final executed proof of claim, all trust documents, including trust claims materials, trust governance documents, any documents reflecting the current status of the claim and, if the claim is settled, all documents relating to the settlement of the claim.

  2. A list of each personal injury claim that the plaintiff reasonably anticipates filing against an asbestos trust, including the name, address, and contact information for the asbestos trust and the amount that the plaintiff anticipates claiming against the asbestos trust.

C. The plaintiff shall supplement the information and materials that are provided under subsections A and B of this section within thirty days after the plaintiff files an additional claim or receives additional information or documents related to any claim that the plaintiff makes against an asbestos trust.

D. If the plaintiff identifies any asbestos trusts pursuant to subsection B, paragraph 2 of this section, the court shall stay all proceedings until the plaintiff files a claim against the asbestos trust and provides to the court and to all parties in the personal injury action a copy of the final executed proof of claim and all other trust claims materials relevant to each claim the plaintiff has against each asbestos trust identified pursuant to subsection B, paragraph 2 of this section. The plaintiff shall disclose whether there has been a request to defer, delay, suspend or toll the claim against any asbestos trust.

E. To the extent permitted by court rule, in a personal injury claim action, trust claims materials and trust governance documents are admissible in evidence. Claims of privilege do not apply to trust claims materials or trust governance documents.

F. A defendant in a personal injury claim may seek discovery against an asbestos trust identified under subsections A, B, C, H, I, J, K and L of this section. The plaintiff may not claim privilege or confidentiality to bar discovery and the plaintiff shall provide consents or other expression of permission that may be required by the asbestos trust to release information and materials sought by the defendant.

G. A court may not schedule a trial in a personal injury claim action until at least one hundred eighty days after the plaintiff makes the disclosures required by subsections A, B and C of this section.

H. If any defendant identifies an asbestos trust not named by the plaintiff against which the defendant reasonably believes the plaintiff should file a claim, on motion by the defendant, the court shall determine whether to order the plaintiff to file a claim against the asbestos trust. For each asbestos trust a defendant identifies, the defendant shall produce or describe the evidence required to file a valid claim with the asbestos trust and the amount of money the asbestos trust should pay for the plaintiff's claim.

I. The court shall establish a deadline for filing a motion under subsection H of this section. Any deadline that is established pursuant to this subsection must afford the parties an adequate opportunity to investigate the defendant's claims.

J. If the court orders the plaintiff to file a claim with the asbestos trust, the court shall stay the immediate action until the plaintiff swears or affirms that the plaintiff has filed the claim against the asbestos trust and the plaintiff provides to the court and to all parties a final executed proof of claim and all other trust claims materials relevant to each claim the plaintiff has against an asbestos trust.

K. The court may allow additional time for discovery or may stay the proceedings for other good cause shown.

L. Not less than thirty days before trial, the court shall direct the parties to enter into the record a trust claims document that identifies each personal injury claim the plaintiff has made against an asbestos trust.

M. A plaintiff's submission of a claim to an asbestos trust and related trust claims materials may be considered by a jury or other trier of fact to determine liability and apportion fault in a personal injury claim and shall be sufficient to support a jury finding that the plaintiff has been exposed to products for which the asbestos trust was established to provide compensation and that the exposure may be a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff's injury that is at issue in the personal injury claim. If a plaintiff in a personal injury claim proceeds to trial before one or more of the claims against an asbestos trust is resolved and subsequently receives compensation from an asbestos trust, the amount of the compensation shall be credited against any judgment entered against any defendant found to be at fault in the action to the extent that the compensation amount exceeds the fault apportioned to the asbestos trust by the jury or other fact finder. If multiple defendants are found liable for damages, the court shall distribute the amount of the setoff or credit proportionally according to the liability of each defendant.

N. A plaintiff who fails to timely provide all of the information required under subsections A, B, C, H, I, J, K and L of this section is subject to sections 12-349 and 12-3201 and any other sanction that the court orders.

O. Nothing in this section requires disclosure of information or documents that either:

  1. Is the subject of a binding contractual confidentiality clause in effect prior to July 3, 2015.

  2. Is restricted from disclosure by federal law or court order.

P. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Asbestos trust" means a trust, qualified settlement fund, compensation fund or claims facility that is created as a result of an administrative or legal action, bankruptcy, agreement or other settlement or pursuant to 11 United States Code section 524(g) and that is intended to provide compensation to claimants alleging personal injury claims as a result of harm, also potentially compensable in the immediate action, for which the entity creating the trust, qualified settlement fund, compensation fund or claims facility is alleged to be responsible.

  2. "Personal injury claim" means any claim for damages, loss, indemnification, contribution, restitution or other relief, including punitive damages, that is related to bodily injury or another harm, including loss of consortium, society or companionship, loss of support, personal injury or death, mental or emotional injury, risk or fear of disease or other injury or costs of medical monitoring or surveillance and that is allegedly caused by or related to the claimant's exposure to asbestos, and includes a claim made by or on behalf of the person who claims the injury or harm or by or on behalf of the person's representative, spouse, parent, minor child or other relative. Personal injury claim does not include a claim for compensatory benefits pursuant to workers' compensation or veterans benefits.

  3. "Trust claims materials" means all documents and information relevant or related to a pending or potential claim against an asbestos trust and includes claims forms and supplementary materials, proofs of claim, affidavits, depositions and trial testimony, work history and medical and health records.

  4. "Trust governance document" means any document that determines eligibility and payment levels, including claims payment matrices, trust distribution procedures or plans for reorganization, for an asbestos trust.


A.R.S. § 15-00156

15-156 - Liquid roofing systems; violation; classification; definition

15-156. Liquid roofing systems; violation; classification; definition

A. A person shall not knowingly apply or allow to be applied a liquid roofing system that the person knows or with the exercise of reasonable care should know contains at least one-tenth of one per cent by weight or volume of any diisocyanate on a building that is owned or operated by a public school while a teacher or student is present in the building.

B. A person shall not knowingly allow any teacher or student to remain in a building that is owned or operated by a public school during, and for at least two hours after, a liquid roofing system has been applied that the person knows or with the exercise of reasonable care should know contains at least one-tenth of one per cent by weight or volume of any diisocyanate.

C. Current material safety data sheets must be supplied to the school prior to the application of liquid roofing systems containing more than one-tenth of one per cent by weight or volume of any diisocyanate on a building owned or operated by a public school. Applicators of liquid roofing systems must follow all applicable occupational safety and health administration regulations. All federal, state, and local regulations governing the use, shipment, and disposal of diisocyanates shall be followed and strictly adhered to.

D. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

E. For the purposes of this section, "diisocyanate" means any diisocyanate used in a liquid applied roofing system including methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate, also known as methylene diphenyl diisocyanate or MDI, polymeric methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate, also known as polymeric MDI, or hexamethylene diisocyanate or HDI. Â


A.R.S. § 15-00183

15-183 - Charter schools; application; requirements; immunity; exemptions; renewal of application; reprisal; fee; funds; annual reports; definitions

15-183. Charter schools; application; requirements; immunity; exemptions; renewal of application; reprisal; fee; funds; annual reports; definitions

A. An applicant seeking to establish a charter school shall apply in writing to a proposed sponsor as prescribed in subsection C of this section. The application, application process and application time frames shall be posted on the sponsor's website and shall include the following, as specified in the application adopted by the sponsor:

  1. A detailed educational plan.

  2. A detailed business plan.

  3. A detailed operational plan.

  4. Any other materials required by the sponsor.

B. The sponsor of a charter school may contract with a public body, private person or private organization for the purpose of establishing a charter school pursuant to this article.

C. The sponsor of a charter school may be either the state board of education, the state board for charter schools, a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents, a community college district or a group of community college districts, subject to the following requirements:

  1. An applicant may not apply for sponsorship to any person or entity other than those prescribed in this subsection.

  2. The applicant may apply to the state board of education or the state board for charter schools. Notwithstanding any other law, neither the state board for charter schools nor the state board of education shall grant a charter to a school district governing board for a new charter school or for the conversion of an existing district public school to a charter school. The state board of education or the state board for charter schools may approve the application if the application meets the requirements of this article and may approve the charter if the proposed sponsor determines, within its sole discretion, that the applicant is sufficiently qualified to operate a charter school and that the applicant is applying to operate as a separate charter holder by considering factors such as whether:

(a) The schools have separate governing bodies, governing body membership, staff, facilities and student population.

(b) Daily operations are carried out by different administrators.

(c) The applicant intends to have an affiliation agreement for the purpose of providing enrollment preferences.

(d) The applicant's charter management organization has multiple charter holders serving varied grade configurations on one physical site or nearby sites serving one community.

(e) The applicant is reconstituting an existing school site population at the same or new site.

(f) The applicant is reconstituting an existing grade configuration from a prior charter holder with at least one grade remaining on the original site with the other grade or grades moving to a new site. The state board of education or the state board for charter schools may approve any charter schools transferring charters. If the state board of education or the state board for charter schools rejects the preliminary application, the state board of education or the state board for charter schools shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the rejection and of suggestions for improving the application. An applicant may submit a revised application for reconsideration by the state board of education or the state board for charter schools. The applicant may request, and the state board of education or the state board for charter schools may provide, technical assistance to improve the application.

  1. The applicant may submit the application to a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents, a community college district or a group of community college districts. A university, a community college district or a group of community college districts shall not grant a charter to a school district governing board for a new charter school or for the conversion of an existing district public school to a charter school. A university, a community college district or a group of community college districts may approve the application if it meets the requirements of this article and if the proposed sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that the applicant is sufficiently qualified to operate a charter school.

  2. Each applicant seeking to establish a charter school shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the approving agency for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544. If an applicant will have direct contact with students, the applicant shall possess a valid fingerprint clearance card that is issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1. The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation. The criminal records check shall be completed before the issuance of a charter.

  3. All persons engaged in instructional work directly as a classroom, laboratory or other teacher or indirectly as a supervisory teacher, speech therapist or principal and all charter representatives, charter school governing body members and officers, directors, members and partners of the charter holder shall have a valid fingerprint clearance card that is issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1, unless the person is a volunteer or guest speaker who is accompanied in the classroom by a person with a valid fingerprint clearance card. A charter school shall not employ in any position that requires a valid fingerprint clearance card a person against whom the state board of education has taken disciplinary action as prescribed in section 15-505 or whose certificate has been suspended, surrendered or revoked, unless the person's certificate has been subsequently reinstated by the state board of education. All other personnel shall be fingerprint checked pursuant to section 15-512, or the charter school may require those personnel to obtain a fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1. Before employment, the charter school shall make documented, good faith efforts to contact previous employers of a person to obtain information and recommendations that may be relevant to the person's fitness for employment as prescribed in section 15-512, subsection F, including checking the educator information system that is maintained by the department of education pursuant to section 15-505. The charter school shall notify the department of public safety if the charter school or sponsor receives credible evidence that a person who possesses a valid fingerprint clearance card is arrested for or is charged with an offense listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B. A person who is employed at a charter school that has met the requirements of this paragraph is not required to meet any additional requirements that are established by the department of education or that may be established by rule by the state board of education. The state board of education may not adopt rules that exceed the requirements for persons who are qualified to teach in charter schools prescribed in title I of the every student succeeds act (P.L. 114-95) or the individuals with disabilities education improvement act of 2004 (P.L. 108-446). Charter schools may hire personnel who have not yet received a fingerprint clearance card if proof is provided of the submission of an application to the department of public safety for a fingerprint clearance card and if the charter school that is seeking to hire the applicant does all of the following:

(a) Documents in the applicant's file the necessity for hiring and placing the applicant before the applicant receives a fingerprint clearance card.

(b) Ensures that the department of public safety completes a statewide criminal records check on the applicant. A statewide criminal records check shall be completed by the department of public safety every one hundred twenty days until the date that the fingerprint check is completed or the fingerprint clearance card is issued or denied.

(c) Obtains references from the applicant's current employer and the two most recent previous employers except for applicants who have been employed for at least five years by the applicant's most recent employer.

(d) Provides general supervision of the applicant until the date that the fingerprint card is obtained.

(e) Completes a search of criminal records in all local jurisdictions outside of this state in which the applicant has lived in the previous five years.

(f) Verifies the fingerprint status of the applicant with the department of public safety.

  1. A charter school that complies with the fingerprinting requirements of this section shall be deemed to have complied with section 15-512 and is entitled to the same rights and protections provided to school districts by section 15-512.

  2. If a charter school operator is not already subject to a public meeting or hearing by the municipality in which the charter school is located, the operator of a charter school shall conduct a public meeting at least thirty days before the charter school operator opens a site or sites for the charter school. The charter school operator shall post notices of the public meeting in at least three different locations that are within three hundred feet of the proposed charter school site.

  3. A person who is employed by a charter school or who is an applicant for employment with a charter school, who is arrested for or charged with a nonappealable offense listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B and who does not immediately report the arrest or charge to the person's supervisor or potential employer is guilty of unprofessional conduct and the person shall be immediately dismissed from employment with the charter school or immediately excluded from potential employment with the charter school.

  4. A person who is employed by a charter school and who is convicted of any nonappealable offense listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B or is convicted of any nonappealable offense that amounts to unprofessional conduct under section 15-550 shall immediately do all of the following:

(a) Surrender any certificates issued by the department of education.

(b) Notify the person's employer or potential employer of the conviction.

(c) Notify the department of public safety of the conviction.

(d) Surrender the person's fingerprint clearance card.

D. An entity that is authorized to sponsor charter schools pursuant to this article has no legal authority over or responsibility for a charter school sponsored by a different entity. This subsection does not apply to the state board of education's duty to exercise general supervision over the public school system pursuant to section 15-203, subsection A, paragraph 1.

E. The charter of a charter school shall do all of the following:

  1. Ensure compliance with federal, state and local rules, regulations and statutes relating to health, safety, civil rights and insurance. The department of education shall publish a list of relevant rules, regulations and statutes to notify charter schools of their responsibilities under this paragraph.

  2. Ensure that it is nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies and employment practices and all other operations.

  3. Ensure that it provides a comprehensive program of instruction for at least a kindergarten program or any grade between grades one and twelve, except that a school may offer this curriculum with an emphasis on a specific learning philosophy or style or certain subject areas such as mathematics, science, fine arts, performance arts or foreign language.

  4. Ensure that it designs a method to measure pupil progress toward the pupil outcomes adopted by the state board of education pursuant to section 15-741.01, including participation in the statewide assessment and the nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement test as designated by the state board and the completion and distribution of an annual report card as prescribed in chapter 7, article 3 of this title.

  5. Ensure that, except as provided in this article and in its charter, it is exempt from all statutes and rules relating to schools, governing boards and school districts.

  6. Ensure that, except as provided in this article, it is subject to the same financial and electronic data submission requirements as a school district, including the uniform system of financial records as prescribed in chapter 2, article 4 of this title, procurement rules as prescribed in section 15-213 and audit requirements. The auditor general shall conduct a comprehensive review and revision of the uniform system of financial records to ensure that the provisions of the uniform system of financial records that relate to charter schools are in accordance with commonly accepted accounting principles used by private business. A school's charter may include exceptions to the requirements of this paragraph that are necessary as determined by the university, the community college district, the group of community college districts, the state board of education or the state board for charter schools. The department of education or the office of the auditor general may conduct financial, program or compliance audits.

  7. Ensure compliance with all federal and state laws relating to the education of children with disabilities in the same manner as a school district.

  8. Ensure that it provides for a governing body for the charter school that is responsible for the policy decisions of the charter school. Notwithstanding section 1-216, if there is a vacancy or vacancies on the governing body, a majority of the remaining members of the governing body constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless that quorum is prohibited by the charter school's operating agreement.

  9. Ensure that it provides a minimum of one hundred eighty instructional days before June 30 of each fiscal year unless it is operating on an alternative calendar approved by its sponsor. The superintendent of public instruction shall adjust the apportionment schedule accordingly to accommodate a charter school utilizing an alternative calendar.

  10. Ensure that the charter school, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies and emergency response agencies, develop an emergency response plan for each school in accordance with minimum standards developed jointly by the department of education and the division of emergency management within the department of emergency and military affairs. Any emergency response plan developed pursuant to this paragraph must address how the school and emergency responders will communicate with and provide assistance to students with disabilities.

F. A charter school shall collect and maintain information about each teacher's educational and teaching background and experience in a particular academic content subject area. A charter school shall either post the information on the charter school's website or make the information available for inspection on request of parents and guardians of pupils enrolled at the charter school. This subsection does not require any charter school to release personally identifiable information in relation to any teacher, including the teacher's address, salary, social security number or telephone number.

G. The charter of a charter school may be amended at the request of the governing body of the charter school and on the approval of the sponsor.

H. Charter schools may contract, sue and be sued.

I. The charter is effective for fifteen years from the first day of the fiscal year as specified in the charter, subject to the following:

  1. At least eighteen months before the charter expires, the sponsor shall notify the charter school that the charter school may apply for renewal and shall make the renewal application available to the charter school. A charter school that elects to apply for renewal shall file a complete renewal application at least fifteen months before the charter expires. A sponsor shall give written notice of its intent not to renew the charter school's request for renewal to the charter school at least twelve months before the expiration of the charter. The sponsor shall make data used in making renewal decisions available to the school and the public and shall provide a public report summarizing the evidence basis for each decision. The sponsor may deny the request for renewal if, in its judgment, the charter holder has failed to do any of the following:

(a) Meet or make sufficient progress toward the academic performance expectations set forth in the performance framework.

(b) Meet the operational performance expectations set forth in the performance framework or any improvement plans.

(c) Meet the financial performance expectations set forth in the performance framework or any improvement plans.

(d) Complete the obligations of the contract.

(e) Comply with this article or any provision of law from which the charter school is not exempt.

  1. A charter operator may apply for early renewal. At least nine months before the charter school's intended renewal consideration, the operator of the charter school shall submit a letter of intent to the sponsor to apply for early renewal. The sponsor shall review fiscal audits and academic performance data for the charter school that are annually collected by the sponsor, review the current contract between the sponsor and the charter school and provide the qualifying charter school with a renewal application. On submission of a complete application, the sponsor shall give written notice of its consideration of the renewal application. The sponsor may deny the request for early renewal if, in the sponsor's judgment, the charter holder has failed to do any of the following:

(a) Meet or make sufficient progress toward the academic performance expectations set forth in the performance framework.

(b) Meet the operational performance expectations set forth in the performance framework or any improvement plans.

(c) Meet the financial performance expectations set forth in the performance framework or any improvement plans.

(d) Complete the obligations of the contract.

(e) Comply with this article or any provision of law from which the charter school is not exempt.

  1. A sponsor shall review a charter at five-year intervals using a performance framework adopted by the sponsor and may revoke a charter at any time if the charter school breaches one or more provisions of its charter or if the sponsor determines that the charter holder has failed to do any of the following:

(a) Meet or make sufficient progress toward the academic performance expectations set forth in the performance framework.

(b) Meet the operational performance expectations set forth in the performance framework or any improvement plans.

(c) Meet the financial performance expectations set forth in the performance framework or any improvement plans.

(d) Comply with this article or any provision of law from which the charter school is not exempt.

  1. In determining whether to renew or revoke a charter holder, the sponsor must consider making sufficient progress toward the academic performance expectations set forth in the sponsor's performance framework as one of the most important factors.

  2. Before the sponsor adopts a determination of intent to revoke a charter, the charter holder shall have at least thirty days to address the problems, as necessary or applicable, associated with the reason or reasons for the determination of intent to revoke. The sponsor is not required to provide the charter holder with thirty days to correct the problems associated with the reason or reasons for adopting a determination of intent to revoke if the reason or reasons cannot be remedied, including a failure to submit required financial audits pursuant to subsection E, paragraph 6 of this section and section 15-914, or for a matter of health or safety, or both. Before the sponsor adopts a determination of intent to revoke a charter, the sponsor shall give written notice to the charter holder that includes the reason or reasons for the sponsor's consideration to revoke the charter. Notice may be provided by electronic means or by United States mail and is effective on the date of email or, if sent by United States mail, the earlier of the date of receipt by the charter holder or within five days after the notice is mailed. The determination of whether to proceed to revocation shall be made at a public meeting called for that purpose.

J. The charter may be renewed for successive periods of twenty years.

K. A charter school that is sponsored by the state board of education, the state board for charter schools, a university, a community college district or a group of community college districts may not be located on the property of a school district unless the district governing board grants this authority.

L. A governing board or a school district employee who has control over personnel actions shall not take unlawful reprisal against another employee of the school district because the employee is directly or indirectly involved in an application to establish a charter school. A governing board or a school district employee shall not take unlawful reprisal against an educational program of the school or the school district because an application to establish a charter school proposes to convert all or a portion of the educational program to a charter school. For the purposes of this subsection, "unlawful reprisal" means an action that is taken by a governing board or a school district employee as a direct result of a lawful application to establish a charter school and that is adverse to another employee or an education program and:

  1. With respect to a school district employee, results in one or more of the following:

(a) Disciplinary or corrective action.

(b) Detail, transfer or reassignment.

(c) Suspension, demotion or dismissal.

(d) An unfavorable performance evaluation.

(e) A reduction in pay, benefits or awards.

(f) Elimination of the employee's position without a reduction in force by reason of lack of monies or work.

(g) Other significant changes in duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with the employee's salary or employment classification.

  1. With respect to an educational program, results in one or more of the following:

(a) Suspension or termination of the program.

(b) Transfer or reassignment of the program to a less favorable department.

(c) Relocation of the program to a less favorable site within the school or school district.

(d) Significant reduction or termination of funding for the program.

M. Charter schools shall secure insurance for liability and property loss. The governing body of a charter school that is sponsored by the state board of education or the state board for charter schools may enter into an intergovernmental agreement or otherwise contract to participate in an insurance program offered by a risk retention pool established pursuant to section 11-952.01 or 41-621.01 or the charter school may secure its own insurance coverage. The pool may charge the requesting charter school reasonable fees for any services it performs in connection with the insurance program.

N. Charter schools do not have the authority to acquire property by eminent domain.

O. A sponsor, including members, officers and employees of the sponsor, is immune from personal liability for all acts done and actions taken in good faith within the scope of its authority.

P. Charter school sponsors and this state are not liable for the debts or financial obligations of a charter school or persons who operate charter schools.

Q. The sponsor of a charter school shall establish procedures to conduct administrative hearings on determination by the sponsor that grounds exist to revoke a charter. Procedures for administrative hearings shall be similar to procedures prescribed for adjudicative proceedings in title 41, chapter 6, article 10. Except as provided in section 41-1092.08, subsection H, final decisions of the state board of education and the state board for charter schools from hearings conducted pursuant to this subsection are subject to judicial review pursuant to title 12, chapter 7, article 6.

R. The sponsoring entity of a charter school shall have oversight and administrative responsibility for the charter schools that it sponsors. In implementing its oversight and administrative responsibilities, the sponsor shall ground its actions in evidence of the charter holder's performance in accordance with the performance framework adopted by the sponsor. The performance framework shall be publicly available, shall be placed on the sponsoring entity's website and shall include:

  1. The academic performance expectations of the charter school and the measurement of sufficient progress toward the academic performance expectations.

  2. The operational expectations of the charter school, including adherence to all applicable laws and obligations of the charter contract.

  3. The financial expectations of the charter school.

  4. Intervention and improvement policies.

S. Charter schools may pledge, assign or encumber their assets to be used as collateral for loans or extensions of credit.

T. All property accumulated by a charter school shall remain the property of the charter school.

U. Charter schools may not locate a school on property that is less than one-fourth mile from agricultural land regulated pursuant to section 3-365, except that the owner of the agricultural land may agree to comply with the buffer zone requirements of section 3-365. If the owner agrees in writing to comply with the buffer zone requirements and records the agreement in the office of the county recorder as a restrictive covenant running with the title to the land, the charter school may locate a school within the affected buffer zone. The agreement may include any stipulations regarding the charter school, including conditions for future expansion of the school and changes in the operational status of the school that will result in a breach of the agreement.

V. A transfer of a charter to another sponsor, a transfer of a charter school site to another sponsor or a transfer of a charter school site to a different charter shall be completed before the beginning of the fiscal year that the transfer is scheduled to become effective. An entity that sponsors charter schools may accept a transferring school after the beginning of the fiscal year if the transfer is approved by the superintendent of public instruction. The superintendent of public instruction shall have the discretion to consider each transfer during the fiscal year on a case-by-case basis. A charter holder seeking to transfer sponsors shall comply with the current charter terms regarding assignment of the charter. A charter holder transferring sponsors shall notify the current sponsor that the transfer has been approved by the new sponsor.

W. Notwithstanding subsection V of this section, a charter holder on an improvement plan must notify parents or guardians of registered students of the intent to transfer the charter and the timing of the proposed transfer. On the approved transfer, the new sponsor shall enforce the improvement plan but may modify the plan based on performance.

X. Notwithstanding subsection Y of this section, the state board for charter schools shall charge a processing fee to any charter school that amends its contract to participate in Arizona online instruction pursuant to section 15-808. The charter Arizona online instruction processing fund is established consisting of fees collected and administered by the state board for charter schools. The state board for charter schools shall use monies in the fund only for processing contract amendments for charter schools participating in Arizona online instruction. Â Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated.

Y. The sponsoring entity may not charge any fees to a charter school that it sponsors unless the sponsor has provided services to the charter school and the fees represent the full value of those services provided by the sponsor. Â On request, the value of the services provided by the sponsor to the charter school shall be demonstrated to the department of education.

Z. Charter schools may enter into an intergovernmental agreement with a presiding judge of the juvenile court to implement a law-related education program as defined in section 15-154. The presiding judge of the juvenile court may assign juvenile probation officers to participate in a law-related education program in any charter school in the county. The cost of juvenile probation officers who participate in the program implemented pursuant to this subsection shall be funded by the charter school.

AA. The sponsor of a charter school shall modify previously approved curriculum requirements for a charter school that wishes to participate in the board examination system prescribed in chapter 7, article 6 of this title.

BB. If a charter school decides not to participate in the board examination system prescribed in chapter 7, article 6 of this title, pupils enrolled at that charter school may earn a Grand Canyon diploma by obtaining a passing score on the same board examinations.

CC. Notwithstanding subsection Y of this section, a sponsor of charter schools may charge a new charter application processing fee to any applicant. The application fee shall fully cover the cost of application review and any needed technical assistance. Authorizers may approve policies that allow a portion of the fee to be returned to the applicant whose charter is approved.

DD. A charter school may choose to provide a preschool program for children with disabilities pursuant to section 15-771.

EE. Pursuant to the prescribed graduation requirements adopted by the state board of education, the governing body of a charter school operating a high school may approve a rigorous computer science course that would fulfill a mathematics course required for graduation from high school. The governing body may approve a rigorous computer science course only if the rigorous computer science course includes significant mathematics content and the governing body determines the high school where the rigorous computer science course is offered has sufficient capacity, infrastructure and qualified staff, including competent teachers of computer science.

FF. A charter school may allow the use of school property, including school buildings, grounds, buses and equipment, by any person, group or organization for any lawful purpose, including a recreational, educational, political, economic, artistic, moral, scientific, social, religious or other civic or governmental purpose. The charter school may charge a reasonable fee for the use of the school property.

GG. A charter school and its employees, including the governing body, or chief administrative officer, are immune from civil liability with respect to all decisions made and actions taken to allow the use of school property, unless the charter school or its employees are guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. This subsection does not limit any other immunity provisions that are prescribed by law.

HH. Sponsors authorized pursuant to this section shall submit an annual report to the auditor general on or before October 1. The report shall include:

  1. The current number of charters authorized and the number of schools operated by authorized charter holders.

  2. The academic, operational and financial performance of the sponsor's charter portfolio as measured by the sponsor's adopted performance framework.

  3. For the prior year, the number of new charters approved, the number of charter schools closed and the reason for the closure.

  4. The sponsor's application, amendment, renewal and revocation processes, charter contract template and current performance framework as required by this section.

II. The auditor general shall prescribe the format for the annual report required by subsection HH of this section and may require that the annual report be submitted electronically. The auditor general shall review the submitted annual reports to ensure that the reports include the required items in subsection HH of this section and shall make the annual reports available on request. If the auditor general finds significant noncompliance or if a sponsor fails to submit the annual report required by subsection HH of this section, on or before December 31 of each year the auditor general shall report to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the chairs of the senate and house education committees or their successor committees, and the legislature shall consider revoking the sponsor's authority to sponsor charter schools.

JJ. Each charter representative, charter school governing body member and officer, director, member and partner of a charter holder, as allowed by the charter holder, may have:

  1. Access to the charter school's students and student records.

  2. Unrestricted access to the charter school's campuses.

  3. Authority to make final decisions regarding student learning in the charter school.

  4. Authority to make final decisions regarding the safety of the charter school's students and school campuses.

KK. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Charter representative" means an individual who both:

(a) Has the authority to execute contracts on behalf of the charter holder in accordance with the charter holder's articles of incorporation, operating agreement or bylaws.

(b) Represents the charter holder before the state board for charter schools in matters relating to accountability and compliance with federal, state and local laws and with the terms and conditions of the charter.

  1. "Charter school governing body member" means an individual who is a member of a body organized to govern and manage a charter school.

  2. "Officer, director, member or partner of a charter holder":

(a) Means an individual who has the authority to manage the operations and functions of a charter school or to make decisions on behalf of a charter holder.

(b) Includes:

(i) An individual who possesses an ownership interest or voting rights, or both, in the charter school.

(ii) An individual who is identified in any of sections 10-140, 10-801, 10-840, 10-3140, 10-3840, 29-301, 29-1001, 29-3102 and 29-4101. Â


A.R.S. § 15-00185

15-185 - Charter schools; financing; civil penalties; transportation; definition

15-185. Charter schools; financing; civil penalties; transportation; definition

A. A school district is not financially responsible for any charter school that is sponsored by the state board of education, the state board for charter schools, a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents, a community college district or a group of community college districts.

B. Financial provisions for a charter school that is sponsored by the state board of education, the state board for charter schools, a university, a community college district or a group of community college districts are as follows:

  1. The charter school shall calculate a base support level as prescribed in section 15-943, except that:

(a) Section 15-941 does not apply to these charter schools.

(b) The small school weights prescribed in section 15-943, paragraph 1 apply if a charter holder holds one charter for one or more school sites and the average daily membership for the school sites are combined for the calculation of the small school weight. The small school weight shall not be applied individually to a charter holder if one or more of the following conditions exist and the combined average daily membership derived from the following conditions is greater than six hundred:

(i) The organizational structure or management agreement of the charter holder requires the charter holder or charter school to contract with a specific management company.

(ii) The governing body of the charter holder has identical membership to another charter holder in this state.

(iii) The charter holder is a subsidiary of a corporation that has other subsidiaries that are charter holders in this state.

(iv) The charter holder holds more than one charter in this state.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of this paragraph, for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, the department of education shall reduce by thirty-three percent the amount provided by the small school weight for charter schools prescribed in subdivision (b) of this paragraph.

  1. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this subsection, the student count shall be determined initially using an estimated student count based on actual registration of pupils before the beginning of the school year. Notwithstanding section 15-1042, subsection F, student level data submitted to the department may be used to determine estimated student counts. After the first forty days, one hundred days or two hundred days in session, as applicable, the charter school shall revise the student count to be equal to the actual average daily membership, as defined in section 15-901, of the charter school. Before the fortieth day, one hundredth day or two hundredth day in session, as applicable, the state board of education, the state board for charter schools, the sponsoring university, the sponsoring community college district or the sponsoring group of community college districts may require a charter school to report periodically regarding pupil enrollment and attendance, and the department of education may revise its computation of equalization assistance based on the report. A charter school shall revise its student count, base support level and charter additional assistance before May 15. A charter school that overestimated its student count shall revise its budget before May 15. A charter school that underestimated its student count may revise its budget before May 15.

  2. A charter school may use section 15-855 for the purposes of this section. The charter school and the department of education shall prescribe procedures for determining average daily membership.

  3. Equalization assistance for the charter school shall be determined by adding the amount of the base support level and charter additional assistance. The amount of the charter additional assistance is $2,131.90 per student count in preschool programs for children with disabilities, kindergarten programs and grades one through eight and $2,484.69 per student count in grades nine through twelve.

  4. The state board of education shall apportion state aid from the appropriations made for such purposes to the state treasurer for disbursement to the charter schools in each county in an amount as determined by this paragraph. The apportionments shall be made as prescribed in section 15-973, subsection B.

  5. The charter school shall not charge tuition for pupils who reside in this state, levy taxes or issue bonds. A charter school may admit pupils who are not residents of this state and shall charge tuition for those pupils in the same manner prescribed in section 15-823.

  6. Not later than noon on the day preceding each apportionment date established pursuant to paragraph 5 of this subsection, the superintendent of public instruction shall furnish to the state treasurer an abstract of the apportionment and shall certify the apportionment to the department of administration, which shall draw its warrant in favor of the charter schools for the amount apportioned.

C. If a pupil is enrolled in both a charter school and a public school that is not a charter school, the sum of the daily membership, which includes enrollment as prescribed in section 15-901, subsection A, paragraph 1, subdivisions (a) and (b) and daily attendance as prescribed in section 15-901, subsection A, paragraph 5, for that pupil in the school district and the charter school shall not exceed 1.0. If a pupil is enrolled in both a charter school and a public school that is not a charter school, the department of education shall direct the average daily membership to the school with the most recent enrollment date. On validation of actual enrollment in both a charter school and a public school that is not a charter school and if the sum of the daily membership or daily attendance for that pupil is greater than 1.0, the sum shall be reduced to 1.0 and shall be apportioned between the public school and the charter school based on the percentage of total time that the pupil is enrolled or in attendance in the public school and the charter school. The uniform system of financial records shall include guidelines to apportion the pupil enrollment and attendance as provided in this section.

D. Charter schools are allowed to accept grants and gifts to supplement their state funding, but it is not the intent of the charter school law to require taxpayers to pay twice to educate the same pupils. The base support level for a charter school or for a school district sponsoring a charter school shall be reduced by an amount equal to the total amount of monies received by a charter school from a federal or state agency if the federal or state monies are intended for the basic maintenance and operations of the school. The superintendent of public instruction shall estimate the amount of the reduction for the budget year and shall revise the reduction to reflect the actual amount before May 15 of the current year. If the reduction results in a negative amount, the negative amount shall be used in computing all budget limits and equalization assistance, except that:

  1. Equalization assistance shall not be less than zero.

  2. For a charter school sponsored by the state board of education, the state board for charter schools, a university, a community college district or a group of community college districts, the total of the base support level and the charter additional assistance shall not be less than zero.

E. If a charter school was a district public school in the prior year and sponsored by the state board of education, the state board for charter schools, a university, a community college district or a group of community college districts, the reduction in subsection D of this section applies. The reduction to the base support level of the charter school shall equal the sum of the base support level and the charter additional assistance received in the current year for those pupils who were enrolled in the traditional public school in the prior year and are now enrolled in the charter school in the current year.

F. Equalization assistance for charter schools shall be provided as a single amount based on average daily membership without categorical distinctions between maintenance and operations or capital.

G. At the request of a charter school, the county school superintendent of the county where the charter school is located may provide the same educational services to the charter school as prescribed in section 15-308, subsection A. The county school superintendent may charge a fee to recover costs for providing educational services to charter schools.

H. If the sponsor of the charter school determines at a public meeting that the charter school is not in compliance with federal law, with the laws of this state or with its charter, the sponsor of a charter school may submit a request to the department of education to withhold up to ten percent of the monthly apportionment of state aid that would otherwise be due the charter school. The department shall adjust the charter school's apportionment accordingly. The sponsor shall provide written notice to the charter school at least seventy-two hours before the meeting and shall allow the charter school to respond to the allegations of noncompliance at the meeting before the sponsor makes a final determination to notify the department of education of noncompliance. The charter school shall submit a corrective action plan to the sponsor on a date specified by the sponsor at the meeting. The corrective action plan shall be designed to correct deficiencies at the charter school and to ensure that the charter school promptly returns to compliance. When the sponsor determines that the charter school is in compliance, the department shall restore the full amount of state aid payments to the charter school.

I. In addition to the withholding of state aid payments pursuant to subsection H of this section, the sponsor of a charter school may impose a civil penalty of $1,000 per occurrence if a charter school fails to comply with the fingerprinting requirements prescribed in section 15-183, subsection C or section 15-512. The sponsor of a charter school shall not impose a civil penalty if it is the first time the charter school is out of compliance with the fingerprinting requirements and if the charter school provides proof within forty-eight hours after written notification that an application for the appropriate fingerprint check has been received by the department of public safety. The sponsor of the charter school shall obtain proof that the charter school has been notified, and the notification shall identify the date of the deadline and shall be signed by both parties. The sponsor of a charter school shall automatically impose a civil penalty of $1,000 per occurrence if the sponsor determines that the charter school subsequently violates the fingerprinting requirements. Civil penalties pursuant to this subsection shall be assessed by requesting the department of education to reduce the amount of state aid that the charter school would otherwise receive by an amount equal to the civil penalty. The amount of state aid withheld shall revert to the state general fund at the end of the fiscal year.

J. A charter school may receive and spend monies distributed by the department of education pursuant to section 42-5029, subsection E, section 42-5029.02, subsection A and section 37-521, subsection B.

K. If a school district transports or contracts to transport pupils to the Arizona state schools for the deaf and the blind during any fiscal year, the school district may transport or contract with a charter school to transport sensory impaired pupils during that same fiscal year to a charter school if requested by the parent of the pupil and if the distance from the pupil's place of actual residence within the school district to the charter school is less than the distance from the pupil's place of actual residence within the school district to the campus of the Arizona state schools for the deaf and the blind.

L. Notwithstanding any other law, a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents, a community college district or a group of community college districts shall not include any student in the student count of the university, community college district or group of community college districts for state funding purposes if that student is enrolled in and attending a charter school sponsored by the university, community college district or group of community college districts.

M. The governing body of a charter school shall transmit a copy of its proposed budget or the summary of the proposed budget and a notice of the public hearing to the department of education for posting on the department of education's website not later than ten days before the hearing and meeting. If the charter school maintains a website, the charter school governing body shall post on its website a copy of its proposed budget or the summary of the proposed budget and a notice of the public hearing.

N. The governing body of a charter school shall collaborate with the private organization that is approved by the state board of education pursuant to section 15-792.02 to provide approved board examination systems for the charter school.

O. If allowed by federal law, a charter school may opt out of federal grant opportunities if the charter holder or the appropriate governing body of the charter school determines that the federal requirements impose unduly burdensome reporting requirements.

P. For the purposes of this section, "monies intended for the basic maintenance and operations of the school" means monies intended to provide support for the educational program of the school, except that it does not include supplemental assistance for a specific purpose or title VIII of the elementary and secondary education act of 1965 monies. The auditor general shall determine which federal or state monies meet this definition.


A.R.S. § 15-00213

15-213 - Procurement practices of school districts and charter schools; violations; classification; definitions

15-213. Procurement practices of school districts and charter schools; violations; classification; definitions

A. The state board of education shall adopt rules prescribing procurement practices for all school districts in this state as follows:

  1. The state board shall submit to the auditor general proposed rules consistent with the procurement practices prescribed in title 41, chapter 23, modifying the provisions for public notice of invitation for bids, requests for proposals and requests for qualifications to allow a governing board to give public notice of the invitation for bids, requests for proposals and requests for qualifications by publication in the official newspaper of the county as prescribed in section 11-255, modifying the provisions relating to disposal of materials to comply with section 15-342, paragraph 18, providing for governing board delegation of procurement authority and modifying as necessary other provisions that the state board determines are not appropriate for school districts. The rules shall include provisions specifying that school districts are not required to engage in competitive bidding in order to make the decision to participate in programs pursuant to section 15-382 and that a program authorized by section 15-382 is not required to engage in competitive bidding for the services necessary to administer the program or for purchase of insurance or reinsurance. The rules shall include provisions specifying that school districts are not required to engage in competitive bidding in order to place a pupil in a private school that provides special education services if such a placement is prescribed in the pupil's individualized education program and the private school has been approved by the department of education division of special education pursuant to section 15-765, subsection D. This placement is not subject to rules adopted by the state board of education before November 24, 2009 pursuant to this section. The rules for procurement of construction projects shall include provisions specifying that surety bonds furnished as bid security and performance and payment bonds shall be executed and furnished as required by title 34, chapter 2 or 6, as applicable. The rules shall specify the total cost of a procurement that is subject to invitations for bids, requests for proposals and requests for clarification, using the aggregate dollar amount limits for procurements prescribed in section 41-2535. The rules must follow the prompt payment requirements prescribed in sections 41-2576 and 41-2577 except for external funding that has not yet been received.

  2. The state board of education shall adopt rules for procurements involving construction not exceeding $150,000, which shall be known as the simplified school construction procurement program. At a minimum, the rules for a simplified construction procurement program shall require that:

(a) Each county school superintendent maintain a list of persons who desire to receive solicitations to bid on construction projects to which additions shall be allowed throughout the year.

(b) The list of persons be available for public inspection.

(c) A performance bond and a payment bond as required by this section be provided for contracts for construction by contractors.

(d) All bids for construction be opened at a public opening and the bids shall remain confidential until the public opening.

(e) All persons desiring to submit bids be treated equitably and the information related to each project be available to all eligible persons.

(f) Competition for construction projects under the simplified school construction procurement program be encouraged to the maximum extent possible. At a minimum, a school district shall submit information on each project to all persons listed with the county school superintendent by any school district within that county.

(g) A provision, covenant, clause or understanding in, collateral to or affecting a construction contract that makes the contract subject to the laws of another state or that requires any litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution proceeding arising from the contract to be conducted in another state is against this state's public policy and is void and unenforceable.

  1. The state board of education shall adopt rules for the procurement of goods and information services by school districts and charter schools using electronic, online bidding. The rules adopted by the state board shall include the use of reverse auctions and shall be consistent with the procurement practices prescribed in title 41, chapter 23, article 13, modifying as necessary those provisions and the rules adopted pursuant to that article that the state board determines are not appropriate for school districts and charter schools. Until the rules are adopted, school districts and charter schools may procure goods and information services pursuant to title 41, chapter 23, article 13 using the rules adopted by the department of administration in implementing that article.

  2. The state board shall adopt rules for the procurement by school districts of any materials, services, goods, construction or construction services that ensure maximum practicable competition as prescribed in section 41-2565 and shall require that a person:

(a) That contracts for or purchases any materials, services, goods, construction or construction services in a manner contrary to the rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this section is personally liable for the recovery of all public monies paid plus twenty percent of that amount and legal interest from the date of payment and all costs and damages arising out of the violation as prescribed in section 41-2616.

(b) That intentionally or knowingly contracts for or purchases any materials, services, goods, construction or construction services pursuant to a scheme or artifice to avoid the rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this section is guilty of a class 4 felony as prescribed in section 41-2616.

(c) That prepares procurement specifications may not receive any direct or indirect benefit from using those specifications.

(d) That serves on a selection committee for a procurement may not be a contractor or subcontractor under a contract awarded under the procurement or provide any specified professional services, construction, construction services, materials or other services under the contract. A person that serves on a selection committee for a procurement and that fails to disclose contact with a representative of a competing vendor or fails to provide required accurate information is subject to a civil penalty as prescribed in section 41-2616.

  1. The state board shall adopt rules requiring school districts to obtain and maintain a record of proof that a construction or construction services provider that has been awarded a contract with the school district, or school purchasing cooperative, has a valid license to practice in this state.

  2. The auditor general shall review the proposed rules to determine whether the rules are consistent with the procurement practices prescribed in title 41, chapter 23 and any modifications are required to adapt the procedures for school districts.

  3. If the auditor general approves the proposed rules, the auditor general shall notify the state board in writing and the state board shall adopt such rules.

  4. If the auditor general objects to the proposed rules, the auditor general shall notify the state board of the objections in writing and the state board, in adopting the rules, shall conform the proposed rules to meet the objections of the auditor general or revise the proposed rules to which an objection has been made and submit the revisions to the auditor general for approval.

B. After the bids submitted in response to an invitation for bids are opened and the award is made or after the proposals or qualifications are submitted in response to a request for proposals or a request for qualifications and the award is made, the governing board shall make available for public inspection all information, all bids, proposals and qualifications submitted and all findings and other information considered in determining whose bid conforms to the invitation for bids and will be the most advantageous with respect to price, conformity to the specifications and other factors or whose proposal or qualifications are to be selected for the award, including the rationale for awarding a contract for any specified professional services, construction, construction services or materials to an entity selected from a qualified select bidders list or through a school purchasing cooperative. The invitation for bids, request for proposals or request for qualifications shall include a notice that all information and bids, proposals and qualifications submitted will be made available for public inspection. The rules adopted by the state board shall prohibit the use in connection with procurement of specifications in any way proprietary to one supplier unless the specification includes all of the following:

  1. A statement of the reasons no other specification is practicable.

  2. A description of the essential characteristics of the specified product.

  3. A statement specifically allowing an acceptable alternative product to be supplied.

C. A project or purchase may not be divided or sequenced into separate projects or purchases in order to avoid the limits prescribed by the state board under subsection A of this section.

D. A contract for the procurement of construction or construction services shall include a provision that provides for negotiations between the school district and the contractor for the recovery of damages related to expenses incurred by the contractor for a delay for which the school district is responsible, that is unreasonable under the circumstances and that was not within the contemplation of the parties to the contract. This subsection does not void any provision in the contract that requires notice of delays, provides for arbitration or any other procedure for settlement or provides for liquidated damages.

E. The auditor general may conduct discretionary reviews, investigations and audits of the financial and operational procurement activities of school districts, nonexempt charter schools and school purchasing cooperatives. The auditor general has final review and approval authority over all school district, nonexempt charter school and school purchasing cooperative audit contracts and any audit reports issued in accordance with this section. If the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe an employee of a school district or school purchasing cooperative, or an employee of an entity that has been awarded a contract by a school district or school purchasing cooperative, has engaged in, is engaging in or is about to engage in any practice or transaction that violates the rules adopted by the state board of education pursuant to this section, the attorney general may:

  1. Require that person to file on forms prescribed by the attorney general a statement or report in writing and under oath as to all the facts and circumstances concerning a violation of the rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this section by that person and any other data and information deemed necessary by the attorney general.

  2. Examine under oath any person in connection with a violation of the rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this section.

F. In addition to the requirements of sections 15-914 and 15-914.01, school districts, nonexempt charter schools and school purchasing cooperatives, in connection with any audit conducted by a certified public accountant, shall contract for a systematic review of purchasing practices using methodology consistent with sampling guidelines established by the auditor general. The auditor general shall consider cost when establishing guidelines pursuant to this subsection and to the extent possible shall attempt to minimize the cost of the review. The purpose of the review is to determine whether the school district, nonexempt charter school or school purchasing cooperative is in compliance with the procurement laws and applicable procurement rules of this state. A copy of the review shall be submitted on completion to the auditor general. The auditor general may conduct discretionary reviews of school districts, nonexempt charter schools and school purchasing cooperatives that are not required to contract for independent audits.

G. A school district school employee who has control over personnel actions may not take reprisal against a school district school employee for that employee's disclosure of information that is a matter of public concern, including a violation of this section, to a public body pursuant to title 38, chapter 3, article 9.

H. The attorney general or county attorney has jurisdiction to enforce this section. The attorney general or county attorney may seek relief for any violation of this section through an appropriate civil or criminal action in superior court, including an action to enjoin a threatened or pending violation of this section and including an action to enforce compliance with any request for documents made by the auditor general pursuant to this section.

I. The department of education shall enact policies and procedures for the acceptance and disposition of complaints from the public regarding school procurement practices and shall forward all school procurement complaints to the attorney general. Notwithstanding rules adopted by the state board, school districts shall not be required to prepare or submit an annual report on the benefits associated with the use of construction-manager-at-risk, design-build, qualified select bidders list and job-order-contracting methods.

J. The state board of education shall adopt, and the auditor general shall review, rules authorizing school districts to procure construction services by construction-manager-at-risk, design-build, qualified select bidders list and job-order-contracting methods of project delivery. The rules shall not require school districts to obtain bid security for the construction-manager-at-risk method of project delivery.

K. A school district or charter school may evaluate United States general services administration contracts for materials and services. The governing board or governing body may authorize purchases under a current contract for materials or services without complying with the requirements of the procurement rules adopted by the state board of education if the governing board or governing body determines in writing that all of the following apply:

  1. The price for materials or services is equal to or less than the contractor's current federal supply contract price with the general services administration.

  2. The contractor has indicated in writing that the contractor is willing to extend the current federal supply contract pricing, terms and conditions to the school district or charter school.

  3. The purchase order adequately identifies the federal supply contract on which the order is based.

  4. The purchase contract is cost effective and is in the best interests of the school district or charter school.

L. Unless otherwise provided by law, multiterm contracts for materials or services and contracts for job-order-contracting construction services may be entered into if the duration of the contract and the conditions of renewal or extension, if any, are included in the invitation for bids or the request for proposals and if monies are available for the first fiscal period at the time the contract is executed. The duration of contracts for materials or services and contracts for job-order-contracting construction services are limited to not more than five years unless the governing board determines in writing before the procurement solicitation is issued that a contract of longer duration would be advantageous to the school district. Payment and performance obligations for succeeding fiscal periods are subject to the availability and appropriation of monies.

M. Notwithstanding the rules adopted by the state board of education, the maximum dollar amount of an individual job order for job-order-contracting construction services is $1,000,000 or a higher or lower amount prescribed by the governing board in a policy adopted in a public meeting held pursuant to title 38, chapter 3, article 3.1. Requirements shall not be artificially divided or fragmented in order to constitute a job order that satisfies the requirements of this subsection.

N. A person who supervises or participates in contracts, purchases, payments, claims or other financial transactions, or a person who supervises or participates in the planning, recommending, selecting or contracting for materials, services, goods, construction, or construction services of a school district or school purchasing cooperative is guilty of a class 6 felony if the person solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any personal gift or benefit with a value of $300 or more from a person or vendor that has secured or has taken steps to secure a contract, purchase, payment, claim or financial transaction with the school district or school purchasing cooperative. Soliciting, accepting or agreeing to accept any personal gift or benefit with a value of less than $300 is a class 1 misdemeanor. A gift or benefit does not include an item of nominal value such as a greeting card, t-shirt, mug or pen.

O. Any person or vendor that has secured or has taken steps to secure a contract, purchase, payment, claim or financial transaction with a school district or school purchasing cooperative that offers, confers or agrees to confer any personal gift or benefit with a value of $300 or more on a person who supervises or participates in contracts, purchases, payments, claims or other financial transactions, or on a person who supervises or participates in planning, recommending, selecting or contracting for materials, services, goods, construction or construction services of a school district or school purchasing cooperative, is guilty of a class 6 felony. Offering, conferring or agreeing to confer any personal gift or benefit with a value of less than $300 is a class 1 misdemeanor. A gift or benefit does not include an item of nominal value such as a greeting card, t-shirt, mug or pen.

P. Any person or vendor convicted under subsection O of this section may be suspended for up to six months or barred for up to three years by the director of the department of administration from doing business with school districts and school purchasing cooperatives. The director of the department of administration shall adopt rules, including administrative procedures, to suspend or bar any person from consideration for award of contracts pursuant to this section.

Q. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Gift or benefit" means a payment, distribution, expenditure, advance, deposit or donation of monies, any intangible personal property or any kind of tangible personal or real property. Gift or benefit does not include either:

(a) Food or beverage.

(b) Expenses or sponsorships relating to a special event or function to which individuals listed in subsection N of this section are invited.

  1. "Nonexempt charter school" means a charter school that is not exempted from procurement laws pursuant to section 15-183, subsection E, paragraph 6.

  2. "School purchasing cooperative" means an entity that is engaged in cooperative purchasing as defined in section 41-2631.

  3. "Total cost" means the cost of all materials and services, including the cost of labor performed by employees of the school district, for all construction as provided in subsection A of this section.


A.R.S. § 15-00341

15-341 - General powers and duties; immunity; delegation

15-341. General powers and duties; immunity; delegation

A. Each school district governing board shall:

  1. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures to govern the schools that are not inconsistent with the laws or rules prescribed by the state board of education.

  2. Exclude from schools all books, publications, papers or audiovisual materials of a sectarian, partisan or denominational character. This paragraph does not prohibit the elective course allowed by section 15-717.01.

  3. Manage and control the school property within its district, except that a district may enter into a partnership with an entity, including a charter school, another school district or a military base, to operate a school or offer educational services in a district building, including at a vacant or partially used building, or in any building on the entity's property pursuant to a written agreement between the parties.

  4. Acquire school furniture, apparatus, equipment, library books and supplies for the schools to use.

  5. Prescribe the curricula and criteria for the promotion and graduation of pupils as provided in sections 15-701 and 15-701.01.

  6. Furnish, repair and insure, at full insurable value, the school property of the district.

  7. Construct school buildings on approval by a vote of the district electors.

  8. In the name of the district, convey property belonging to the district and sold by the board.

  9. Purchase school sites when authorized by a vote of the district at an election conducted as nearly as practicable in the same manner as the election provided in section 15-481 and held on a date prescribed in section 15-491, subsection E, but such authorization shall not necessarily specify the site to be purchased and such authorization shall not be necessary to exchange unimproved property as provided in section 15-342, paragraph 23.

  10. Construct, improve and furnish buildings used for school purposes when such buildings or premises are leased from the national park service.

  11. Purchase school sites or construct, improve and furnish school buildings from the proceeds of the sale of school property only on approval by a vote of the district electors.

  12. Hold pupils to strict account for disorderly conduct on school property.

  13. Discipline students for disorderly conduct on the way to and from school.

  14. Except as provided in section 15-1224, deposit all monies received by the district as gifts, grants and devises with the county treasurer who shall credit the deposits as designated in the uniform system of financial records. If not inconsistent with the terms of the gifts, grants and devises given, any balance remaining after expenditures for the intended purpose of the monies have been made shall be used to reduce school district taxes for the budget year, except that in the case of accommodation schools the county treasurer shall carry the balance forward for use by the county school superintendent for accommodation schools for the budget year.

  15. Provide that, if a parent or legal guardian chooses not to accept a decision of the teacher as provided in paragraph 42 of this subsection, the parent or legal guardian may request in writing that the governing board review the teacher's decision. This paragraph does not release school districts from any liability relating to a child's promotion or retention.

  16. Provide for adequate supervision over pupils in instructional and noninstructional activities by certificated or noncertificated personnel.

  17. Use school monies received from the state and county school apportionment exclusively to pay salaries of teachers and other employees and contingent expenses of the district.

  18. Annually report to the county school superintendent on or before October 1 in the manner and form and on the blanks prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction or county school superintendent. The board shall also report directly to the county school superintendent or the superintendent of public instruction whenever required.

  19. Deposit all monies received by school districts other than student activities monies or monies from auxiliary operations as provided in sections 15-1125 and 15-1126 with the county treasurer to the credit of the school district except as provided in paragraph 20 of this subsection and sections 15-1223 and 15-1224, and the board shall spend the monies as provided by law for other school funds.

  20. Establish bank accounts in which the board during a month may deposit miscellaneous monies received directly by the district. The board shall remit monies deposited in the bank accounts at least monthly to the county treasurer for deposit as provided in paragraph 19 of this subsection and in accordance with the uniform system of financial records.

  21. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures for disciplinary action against a teacher who engages in conduct that is a violation of the policies of the governing board but that is not cause for dismissal of the teacher or for revocation of the certificate of the teacher. Disciplinary action may include suspension without pay for a period of time not to exceed ten school days. Disciplinary action shall not include suspension with pay or suspension without pay for a period of time longer than ten school days. The procedures shall include notice, hearing and appeal provisions for violations that are cause for disciplinary action. The governing board may designate a person or persons to act on behalf of the board on these matters.

  22. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures for disciplinary action against an administrator who engages in conduct that is a violation of the policies of the governing board regarding duties of administrators but that is not cause for dismissal of the administrator or for revocation of the certificate of the administrator. Disciplinary action may include suspension without pay for a period of time not to exceed ten school days. Disciplinary action shall not include suspension with pay or suspension without pay for a period of time longer than ten school days. The procedures shall include notice, hearing and appeal provisions for violations that are cause for disciplinary action. The governing board may designate a person or persons to act on behalf of the board on these matters. For violations that are cause for dismissal, the provisions of notice, hearing and appeal in chapter 5, article 3 of this title apply. The filing of a timely request for a hearing suspends the imposition of a suspension without pay or a dismissal pending completion of the hearing.

  23. Notwithstanding sections 13-3108 and 13-3120, prescribe and enforce policies and procedures that prohibit a person from carrying or possessing a weapon on school grounds unless the person is a peace officer or has obtained specific authorization from the school administrator.

  24. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures relating to the health and safety of all pupils participating in district-sponsored practice sessions or games or other interscholastic athletic activities, including:

(a) The provision of water.

(b) Guidelines, information and forms, developed in consultation with a statewide private entity that supervises interscholastic activities, to inform and educate coaches, pupils and parents of the dangers of concussions and head injuries and the risks of continued participation in athletic activity after a concussion. The policies and procedures shall require that, before a pupil participates in an athletic activity, the pupil and the pupil's parent sign an information form at least once each school year that states that the parent is aware of the nature and risk of concussion. The policies and procedures shall require that a pupil who is suspected of sustaining a concussion in a practice session, game or other interscholastic athletic activity be immediately removed from the athletic activity and that the pupil's parent or guardian be notified. A coach from the pupil's team or an official or a licensed health care provider may remove a pupil from play. A team parent may also remove the parent's own child from play. A pupil may return to play on the same day if a health care provider rules out a suspected concussion at the time the pupil is removed from play. On a subsequent day, the pupil may return to play if the pupil has been evaluated by and received written clearance to resume participation in athletic activity from a health care provider who has been trained in evaluating and managing concussions and head injuries. A health care provider who is a volunteer and who provides clearance to participate in athletic activity on the day of the suspected injury or on a subsequent day is immune from civil liability with respect to all decisions made and actions taken that are based on good faith implementation of the requirements of this subdivision, except in cases of gross negligence or wanton or wilful neglect. A school district, school district employee, team coach, official or team volunteer or a parent or guardian of a team member is not subject to civil liability for any act, omission or policy undertaken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this subdivision or for a decision made or an action taken by a health care provider. A group or organization that uses property or facilities owned or operated by a school district for athletic activities shall comply with the requirements of this subdivision. A school district and its employees and volunteers are not subject to civil liability for any other person or organization's failure or alleged failure to comply with the requirements of this subdivision. This subdivision does not apply to teams that are based in another state and that participate in an athletic activity in this state. For the purposes of this subdivision, athletic activity does not include dance, rhythmic gymnastics, competitions or exhibitions of academic skills or knowledge or other similar forms of physical noncontact activities, civic activities or academic activities, whether engaged in for the purposes of competition or recreation. For the purposes of this subdivision, "health care provider" means a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13, 14 or 17, an athletic trainer who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 41, a nurse practitioner who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15, and a physician assistant who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 25.

(c) Guidelines, information and forms that are developed in consultation with a statewide private entity that supervises interscholastic activities to inform and educate coaches, pupils and parents of the dangers of heat-related illnesses, sudden cardiac death and prescription opioid use. Before a pupil participates in any district-sponsored practice session or game or other interscholastic athletic activity, the pupil and the pupil's parent must be provided with information at least once each school year on the risks of heat-related illnesses, sudden cardiac death and prescription opioid addiction.

  1. Establish an assessment, data gathering and reporting system as prescribed in chapter 7, article 3 of this title.

  2. Provide special education programs and related services pursuant to section 15-764, subsection A to all children with disabilities as defined in section 15-761.

  3. Administer competency tests prescribed by the state board of education for the graduation of pupils from high school.

  4. Ensure that insurance coverage is secured for all construction projects for purposes of general liability, property damage and workers' compensation and secure performance and payment bonds for all construction projects.

  5. Collect and maintain information about each current and former teacher's educational and teaching background and experience in a particular academic content subject area. A school district shall either post the information on the school district's website or make the information available for inspection on request of parents and guardians of pupils enrolled at a school. This paragraph does not require any school to release personally identifiable information in relation to any teacher, including the teacher's address, salary, social security number or telephone number.

  6. Report to local law enforcement agencies any suspected crime against a person or property that is a serious offense as defined in section 13-706 or that involves a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument or serious physical injury and any conduct that poses a threat of death or serious physical injury to employees, students or anyone on the property of the school. This paragraph does not limit or preclude the reporting by a school district or an employee of a school district of suspected crimes other than those required to be reported by this paragraph. For the purposes of this paragraph, "dangerous instrument", "deadly weapon" and "serious physical injury" have the same meanings prescribed in section 13-105.

  7. In conjunction with local law enforcement agencies and emergency response agencies, develop an emergency response plan for each school in the school district in accordance with minimum standards developed jointly by the department of education and the division of emergency management within the department of emergency and military affairs. Any emergency response plan developed pursuant to this paragraph must address how the school and emergency responders will communicate with and provide assistance to students with disabilities.

  8. Provide written notice to the parents or guardians of all students enrolled in the school district at least ten days before a public meeting to discuss closing a school within the school district. The notice shall include the reasons for the proposed closure and the time and place of the meeting. The governing board shall fix a time for a public meeting on the proposed closure not less than ten days before voting in a public meeting to close the school. The school district governing board shall give notice of the time and place of the meeting. At the time and place designated in the notice, the school district governing board shall hear reasons for or against closing the school. The school district governing board is exempt from this paragraph if the governing board determines that the school shall be closed because it poses a danger to the health or safety of the pupils or employees of the school. A governing board may consult with the division of school facilities within the department of administration for technical assistance and for information on the impact of closing a school. The information provided from the division of school facilities within the department of administration shall not require the governing board to take or not take any action.

  9. Incorporate instruction on Native American history into appropriate existing curricula.

  10. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures:

(a) Allowing pupils who have been diagnosed with anaphylaxis by a health care provider licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13, 14, 17 or 25 or by a registered nurse practitioner licensed and certified pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 to carry and self-administer emergency medications, including epinephrine delivery systems, while at school and at school-sponsored activities. The pupil's name on the prescription label on the medication container or on the medication device and annual written documentation from the pupil's parent or guardian to the school that authorizes possession and self-administration is sufficient proof that the pupil is entitled to possess and self-administer the medication. The policies shall require a pupil who uses an epinephrine delivery system while at school and at school-sponsored activities to notify the nurse or the designated school staff person of the use of the medication as soon as practicable. A school district and its employees are immune from civil liability with respect to all decisions made and actions taken that are based on good faith implementation of the requirements of this subdivision, except in cases of wanton or wilful neglect.

(b) For the emergency administration of epinephrine delivery systems by a trained employee of a school district pursuant to section 15-157.

  1. Allow the possession and self-administration of prescription medication for breathing disorders in handheld inhaler devices by pupils who have been prescribed that medication by a health care professional licensed pursuant to title 32. The pupil's name on the prescription label on the medication container or on the handheld inhaler device and annual written documentation from the pupil's parent or guardian to the school that authorizes possession and self-administration is sufficient proof that the pupil is entitled to possess and self-administer the medication. A school district and its employees are immune from civil liability with respect to all decisions made and actions taken that are based on a good faith implementation of the requirements of this paragraph.

  2. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures to prohibit pupils from harassing, intimidating and bullying other pupils on school grounds, on school property, on school buses, at school bus stops, at school-sponsored events and activities and through the use of electronic technology or electronic communication on school computers, networks, forums and mailing lists that include the following components:

(a) A procedure for pupils, parents and school district employees to confidentially report to school officials incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying. The school shall make available written forms designed to provide a full and detailed description of the incident and any other relevant information about the incident.

(b) A requirement that school district employees report in writing suspected incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying to the appropriate school official and a description of appropriate disciplinary procedures for employees who fail to report suspected incidents that are known to the employee.

(c) A requirement that, at the beginning of each school year, school officials provide all pupils with a written copy of the rights, protections and support services available to a pupil who is an alleged victim of an incident reported pursuant to this paragraph.

(d) If an incident is reported pursuant to this paragraph, a requirement that school officials provide a pupil who is an alleged victim of the incident with a written copy of the rights, protections and support services available to that pupil.

(e) A formal process for documenting reported incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying and providing for the confidentiality, maintenance and disposition of this documentation. School districts shall maintain documentation of all incidents reported pursuant to this paragraph for at least six years. The school shall not use that documentation to impose disciplinary action unless the appropriate school official has investigated and determined that the reported incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying occurred. If a school provides documentation of reported incidents to persons other than school officials or law enforcement, all individually identifiable information shall be redacted.

(f) A formal process for the appropriate school officials to investigate suspected incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying, including procedures for notifying the alleged victim and the alleged victim's parent or guardian when a school official or employee becomes aware of the suspected incident of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

(g) Disciplinary procedures for pupils who have admitted or been found to have committed incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

(h) A procedure that sets forth consequences for submitting false reports of incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

(i) Procedures designed to protect the health and safety of pupils who are physically harmed as the result of incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying, including, if appropriate, procedures to contact emergency medical services or law enforcement agencies, or both.

(j) Definitions of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

  1. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures regarding changing or adopting attendance boundaries that include the following components:

(a) A procedure for holding public meetings to discuss attendance boundary changes or adoptions that allows public comments.

(b) A procedure to notify the parents or guardians of the students affected, including assurance that, if that school remains open as part of the boundary change and capacity is available, students assigned to a new attendance area may stay enrolled in their current school.

(c) A procedure to notify the residents of the households affected by the attendance boundary changes.

(d) A process for placing public meeting notices and proposed maps on the school district's website for public review, if the school district maintains a website.

(e) A formal process for presenting the attendance boundaries of the affected area in public meetings that allows public comments.

(f) A formal process for notifying the residents and parents or guardians of the affected area as to the decision of the governing board on the school district's website, if the school district maintains a website.

(g) A formal process for updating attendance boundaries on the school district's website within ninety days after an adopted boundary change. The school district shall send a direct link to the school district's attendance boundaries website to the department of real estate.

  1. If the state board of education determines that the school district has committed an overexpenditure as defined in section 15-107, provide a copy of the fiscal management report submitted pursuant to section 15-107, subsection H on its website and make copies available to the public on request. The school district shall comply with a request within five business days after receipt.

  2. Ensure that the contract for the superintendent is structured in a manner in which up to twenty percent of the total annual salary included for the superintendent in the contract is classified as performance pay. This paragraph does not require school districts to increase total compensation for superintendents. Unless the school district governing board votes to implement an alternative procedure at a public meeting called for this purpose, the performance pay portion of the superintendent's total annual compensation shall be determined as follows:

(a) Twenty-five percent of the performance pay shall be determined based on the percentage of academic gain determined by the department of education of pupils who are enrolled in the school district compared to the academic gain achieved by the highest ranking of the fifty largest school districts in this state. For the purposes of this subdivision, the department of education shall determine academic gain by the academic growth achieved by each pupil who has been enrolled at the same school in a school district for at least five consecutive months measured against that pupil's academic results in the 2008-2009 school year. For the purposes of this subdivision, of the fifty largest school districts in this state, the school district with pupils who demonstrate the highest statewide percentage of overall academic gain measured against academic results for the 2008-2009 school year shall be assigned a score of 100 and the school district with pupils who demonstrate the lowest statewide percentage of overall academic gain measured against academic results for the 2008-2009 school year shall be assigned a score of 0.

(b) Twenty-five percent of the performance pay shall be determined by the percentage of parents of pupils who are enrolled at the school district who assign a letter grade of "A" to the school on a survey of parental satisfaction with the school district. The parental satisfaction survey shall be administered and scored by an independent entity that is selected by the governing board and that demonstrates sufficient expertise and experience to accurately measure the results of the survey. The parental satisfaction survey shall use standard random sampling procedures and provide anonymity and confidentiality to each parent who participates in the survey. The letter grade scale used on the parental satisfaction survey shall direct parents to assign one of the following letter grades:

(i) A letter grade of "A" if the school district is excellent.

(ii) A letter grade of "B" if the school district is above average.

(iii) A letter grade of "C" if the school district is average.

(iv) A letter grade of "D" if the school district is below average.

(v) A letter grade of "F" if the school district is a failure.

(c) Twenty-five percent of the performance pay shall be determined by the percentage of teachers who are employed at the school district and who assign a letter grade of "A" to the school on a survey of teacher satisfaction with the school. The teacher satisfaction survey shall be administered and scored by an independent entity that is selected by the governing board and that demonstrates sufficient expertise and experience to accurately measure the results of the survey. The teacher satisfaction survey shall use standard random sampling procedures and provide anonymity and confidentiality to each teacher who participates in the survey. The letter grade scale used on the teacher satisfaction survey shall direct teachers to assign one of the following letter grades:

(i) A letter grade of "A" if the school district is excellent.

(ii) A letter grade of "B" if the school district is above average.

(iii) A letter grade of "C" if the school district is average.

(iv) A letter grade of "D" if the school district is below average.

(v) A letter grade of "F" if the school district is a failure.

(d) Twenty-five percent of the performance pay shall be determined by other criteria selected by the governing board.

  1. Maintain and store permanent public records of the school district as required by law. Notwithstanding section 39-101, the standards adopted by the Arizona state library, archives and public records for the maintenance and storage of school district public records shall allow school districts to elect to satisfy the requirements of this paragraph by maintaining and storing these records either on paper or in an electronic format, or a combination of a paper and electronic format.

  2. Adopt in a public meeting and implement policies for principal evaluations. Before adopting principal evaluation policies, the school district governing board shall provide opportunities for public discussion on the proposed policies. The governing board shall adopt policies that:

(a) Are designed to improve principal performance and improve student achievement.

(b) Include the use of quantitative data on the academic progress for all students, which shall account for between twenty percent and thirty-three percent of the evaluation outcomes.

(c) Include four performance classifications, designated as highly effective, effective, developing and ineffective.

(d) Describe both of the following:

(i) The methods used to evaluate the performance of principals, including the data used to measure student performance and job effectiveness.

(ii) The formula used to determine evaluation outcomes.

  1. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures that define the duties of principals and teachers. These policies and procedures shall authorize teachers to take and maintain daily classroom attendance, make the decision to promote or retain a pupil in a grade in common school or to pass or fail a pupil in a course in high school, subject to review by the governing board in the manner provided in section 15-342, paragraph 11.

  2. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures for the emergency administration by an employee of a school district pursuant to section 36-2267 of naloxone hydrochloride or any other opioid antagonist approved by the United States food and drug administration.

  3. In addition to the notification requirements prescribed in paragraph 36 of this subsection, prescribe and enforce reasonable and appropriate policies to notify a pupil's parent or guardian if any person engages in harassing, threatening or intimidating conduct against that pupil. A school district and its officials and employees are immune from civil liability with respect to all decisions made and actions taken that are based on good faith implementation of the requirements of this paragraph, except in cases of gross negligence or wanton or wilful neglect. A person engages in threatening or intimidating if the person threatens or intimidates by word or conduct to cause physical injury to another person or serious damage to the property of another on school grounds. A person engages in harassment if, with intent to harass or with knowledge that the person is harassing another person, the person anonymously or otherwise contacts, communicates or causes a communication with another person by verbal, electronic, mechanical, telephonic or written means in a manner that harasses on school grounds or substantially disrupts the school environment.

  4. Each fiscal year, provide to each school district employee a total compensation statement that is broken down by category of benefit or payment and that includes, for that employee, at least all of the following:

(a) Base salary and any additional pay.

(b) Medical benefits and the value of any employer-paid portions of insurance plan premiums.

(c) Retirement benefit plans, including social security.

(d) Legally required benefits.

(e) Any paid leave.

(f) Any other payment made to or on behalf of the employee.

(g) Any other benefit provided to the employee.

  1. Develop and adopt in a public meeting policies to allow for visits, tours and observations of all classrooms by parents of enrolled pupils and parents who wish to enroll their children in the school district unless a visit, tour or observation threatens the health and safety of pupils and staff. These policies and procedures must be easily accessible from the home page on each school's website.

B. Notwithstanding subsection A, paragraphs 7, 9 and 11 of this section, the county school superintendent may construct, improve and furnish school buildings or purchase or sell school sites in the conduct of an accommodation school.

C. If any school district acquires real or personal property, whether by purchase, exchange, condemnation, gift or otherwise, the governing board shall pay to the county treasurer any taxes on the property that were unpaid as of the date of acquisition, including penalties and interest. The lien for unpaid delinquent taxes, penalties and interest on property acquired by a school district:

  1. Is not abated, extinguished, discharged or merged in the title to the property.

  2. Is enforceable in the same manner as other delinquent tax liens.

D. The governing board may not locate a school on property that is less than one-fourth mile from agricultural land regulated pursuant to section 3-365, except that the owner of the agricultural land may agree to comply with the buffer zone requirements of section 3-365. If the owner agrees in writing to comply with the buffer zone requirements and records the agreement in the office of the county recorder as a restrictive covenant running with the title to the land, the school district may locate a school within the affected buffer zone. The agreement may include any stipulations regarding the school, including conditions for future expansion of the school and changes in the operational status of the school that will result in a breach of the agreement.

E. A school district, its governing board members, its school council members and its employees are immune from civil liability for the consequences of adopting and implementing policies and procedures pursuant to subsection A of this section and section 15-342. This waiver does not apply if the school district, its governing board members, its school council members or its employees are guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

F. A governing board may delegate in writing to a superintendent, principal or head teacher the authority to prescribe procedures that are consistent with the governing board's policies.

G. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a school district governing board shall not take any action that would result in a reduction of pupil square footage unless the governing board notifies the school facilities oversight board established by section 41-5701.02 of the proposed action and receives written approval from the school facilities oversight board to take the action. A reduction includes an increase in administrative space that results in a reduction of pupil square footage or sale of school sites or buildings, or both. A reduction includes a reconfiguration of grades that results in a reduction of pupil square footage of any grade level. This subsection does not apply to temporary reconfiguration of grades to accommodate new school construction if the temporary reconfiguration does not exceed one year. The sale of equipment that results in a reduction that falls below the equipment requirements prescribed in section 41-5711, subsection B is subject to commensurate withholding of school district district additional assistance monies pursuant to the direction of the school facilities oversight board. Except as provided in section 15-342, paragraph 10, proceeds from the sale of school sites, buildings or other equipment shall be deposited in the school plant fund as provided in section 15-1102.

H. Subsections C through G of this section apply to a county board of supervisors and a county school superintendent when operating and administering an accommodation school.

I. A school district governing board may delegate authority in writing to the superintendent of the school district to submit plans for new school facilities to the school facilities oversight board for the purpose of certifying that the plans meet the minimum school facility adequacy guidelines prescribed in section 41-5711.

J. For the purposes of subsection A, paragraph 37 of this section, attendance boundaries may not be used to require students to attend certain schools based on the student's place of residence.


A.R.S. § 15-00342

15-342 - Discretionary powers

15-342. Discretionary powers

The governing board may:

  1. Expel pupils for misconduct.

  2. Exclude from grades one through eight children under six years of age.

  3. Make such separation of groups of pupils as it deems advisable.

  4. Maintain such special schools during vacation as deemed necessary for the benefit of the pupils of the school district.

  5. Allow a superintendent or principal or representatives of the superintendent or principal to travel for a school purpose, as determined by a majority vote of the board. The board may allow members and members-elect of the board to travel within or without the school district for a school purpose and receive reimbursement. Any expenditure for travel and subsistence pursuant to this paragraph shall be as provided in title 38, chapter 4, article 2. The designated post of duty referred to in section 38-621 shall be construed, for school district governing board members, to be the member's actual place of residence, as opposed to the school district office or the school district boundaries. Â Such expenditures shall be a charge against the budgeted school district funds. The governing board of a school district shall prescribe procedures and amounts for reimbursement of lodging and subsistence expenses. Reimbursement amounts shall not exceed the maximum amounts established pursuant to section 38-624, subsection C.

  6. Construct or provide in rural districts housing facilities for teachers and other school employees that the board determines are necessary to operate the school.

  7. Sell or lease to the state, a county, a city, another school district or a tribal government agency any school property required for a public purpose if the sale or lease of the property will not affect the normal operations of a school within the school district.

  8. Annually budget and spend monies for membership in an association of school districts within this state.

  9. Enter into leases or lease-purchase agreements for school buildings or grounds, or both, as lessor or as lessee, for periods of less than twenty years subject to voter approval for construction of school buildings as prescribed in section 15-341, subsection A, paragraph 7.

  10. Subject to title 41, chapter 56, sell school sites or enter into leases or lease-purchase agreements for school buildings and grounds, as lessor or as lessee, for a period of twenty years or more, but not to exceed ninety-nine years, if authorized by a vote of the school district electors in an election called by the governing board as provided in section 15-491, except that authorization by the school district electors in an election is not required if one of the following requirements is met:

(a) The market value of the school property is less than $50,000 or the property is procured through a renewable energy development agreement, an energy performance contract, which among other items includes a renewable energy power service agreement, or a simplified energy performance contract pursuant to section 15-213.01.

(b) The buildings and sites are completely funded with monies distributed by the school facilities division within the department of administration or at the direction of the school facilities oversight board, or its predecessor.

(c) The transaction involves the sale of improved or unimproved property pursuant to an agreement with the school facilities oversight board in which the school district agrees to sell the improved or unimproved property and transfer the proceeds of the sale to the school facilities oversight board in exchange for monies from the school facilities oversight board for the acquisition of a more suitable school site. For a sale of property acquired by a school district before July 9, 1998, a school district shall transfer to the school facilities oversight board that portion of the proceeds that equals the cost of the acquisition of a more suitable school site. If there are any remaining proceeds after the transfer of monies to the school facilities oversight board, a school district shall only use those remaining proceeds for future land purchases approved by the school facilities oversight board, or for capital improvements not funded by the school facilities oversight board for any existing or future facility.

(d) The transaction involves the sale of improved or unimproved property pursuant to a formally adopted plan and the school district uses the proceeds of this sale to purchase other property that will be used for similar purposes as the property that was originally sold if the sale proceeds of the improved or unimproved property are used within two years after the date of the original sale to purchase the replacement property. If the sale proceeds of the improved or unimproved property are not used within two years after the date of the original sale to purchase replacement property, the sale proceeds shall be used toward paying any outstanding bonded indebtedness. If any sale proceeds remain after paying for outstanding bonded indebtedness, or if the district has no outstanding bonded indebtedness, sale proceeds shall be used to reduce the district's primary tax levy. A school district shall not use this subdivision unless all of the following conditions exist:

(i) The school district is the sole owner of the improved or unimproved property that the school district intends to sell.

(ii) The school district did not purchase the improved or unimproved property that the school district intends to sell with monies that were distributed pursuant to title 41, chapter 56.

(iii) The transaction does not violate section 15-341, subsection G.

  1. Review the decision of a teacher to promote a pupil to a grade or retain a pupil in a grade in a common school or to pass or fail a pupil in a course in high school. The pupil has the burden of proof to overturn the decision of a teacher to promote, retain, pass or fail the pupil. In order to sustain the burden of proof, the pupil shall demonstrate to the governing board that the pupil has mastered the academic standards adopted by the state board of education pursuant to sections 15-701 and 15-701.01. If the governing board overturns the decision of a teacher pursuant to this paragraph, the governing board shall adopt a written finding that the pupil has mastered the academic standards. Notwithstanding title 38, chapter 3, article 3.1, the governing board shall review the decision of a teacher to promote a pupil to a grade or retain a pupil in a grade in a common school or to pass or fail a pupil in a course in high school in executive session unless a parent or legal guardian of the pupil or the pupil, if emancipated, disagrees that the review should be conducted in executive session and then the review shall be conducted in an open meeting.  If the review is conducted in executive session, the board shall notify the teacher of the date, time and place of the review and shall allow the teacher to be present at the review. If the teacher is not present at the review, the board shall consult with the teacher before making its decision. Any request, including the written request as provided in section 15-341, the written evidence presented at the review and the written record of the review, including the decision of the governing board to accept or reject the teacher's decision, shall be retained by the governing board as part of its permanent records.

  2. Provide transportation or site transportation loading and unloading areas for any child or children if deemed for the best interest of the district, whether within or without the district, county or state.

  3. Enter into intergovernmental agreements and contracts with school districts or other governing bodies as provided in section 11-952. Intergovernmental agreements and contracts between school districts or between a school district and other governing bodies as provided in section 11-952 are exempt from competitive bidding under the procurement rules adopted by the state board of education pursuant to section 15-213.

  4. Include in the curricula it prescribes for high schools in the school district career and technical education, vocational education and technology education programs and career and technical, vocational and technology program improvement services for the high schools, subject to approval by the state board of education. The governing board may contract for the provision of career and technical, vocational and technology education as provided in section 15-789.

  5. Suspend a teacher or administrator from the teacher's or administrator's duties without pay for a period of time of not to exceed ten school days, if the board determines that suspension is warranted pursuant to section 15-341, subsection A, paragraph 21 or 22.

  6. Dedicate school property within an incorporated city or town to that city or town or within a county to that county for use as a public right-of-way if both of the following apply:

(a) Pursuant to an ordinance adopted by the city, town or county, there will be conferred on the school district privileges and benefits that may include benefits related to zoning.

(b) The dedication will not affect the normal operation of any school within the district.

  1. Enter into option agreements for the purchase of school sites.

  2. Donate surplus or outdated learning materials, educational equipment and furnishings to nonprofit community organizations if the governing board determines that the anticipated cost of selling the learning materials, educational equipment or furnishings equals or exceeds the estimated market value of the materials.

  3. Prescribe policies to assess reasonable fees for students to use district-provided parking facilities. The fees are to be applied by the district solely against costs incurred in operating or securing the parking facilities. Any policy adopted by the governing board pursuant to this paragraph shall include a fee waiver provision in appropriate cases of need or economic hardship.

  4. Establish alternative education programs that are consistent with the laws of this state to educate pupils, including pupils who have been reassigned pursuant to section 15-841, subsection E or F.

  5. Require a period of silence to be observed at the commencement of the first class of the day in the schools. If a governing board chooses to require a period of silence to be observed, the teacher in charge of the room in which the first class is held shall announce that a period of silence not to exceed one minute in duration will be observed for meditation, and during that time no activities shall take place and silence shall be maintained.

  6. Require students to wear uniforms.

  7. Exchange unimproved property or improved property, including school sites, if the governing board determines that the improved property is unnecessary for the continued operation of the school district without requesting authorization by a vote of the school district electors and if the governing board determines that the exchange is necessary to protect the health, safety or welfare of pupils or if the governing board determines that the exchange is based on sound business principles for either:

(a) Unimproved or improved property of equal or greater value.

(b) Unimproved property that the owner contracts to improve if the value of the property ultimately received by the school district is of equal or greater value.

  1. For common and high school pupils, assess reasonable fees for optional extracurricular activities and programs conducted when the common or high school is not in session, except that fees shall not be charged for pupils' access to or use of computers or related materials. Â For high school pupils, the governing board may assess reasonable fees for fine arts and vocational education courses and for optional services, equipment and materials offered to the pupils beyond those required to successfully complete the basic requirements of any other course, except that fees shall not be charged for pupils' access to or use of computers or related materials. Fees assessed pursuant to this paragraph shall be adopted at a public meeting after notice has been given to all parents of pupils enrolled at schools in the district and shall not exceed the actual costs of the activities, programs, services, equipment or materials. The governing board shall authorize principals to waive the assessment of all or part of a fee assessed pursuant to this paragraph if it creates an economic hardship for a pupil. For the purposes of this paragraph, "extracurricular activity" means any optional, noncredit, educational or recreational activity that supplements the education program of the school, whether offered before, during or after regular school hours.

  2. Notwithstanding section 15-341, subsection A, paragraphs 7 and 9, construct school buildings and purchase or lease school sites, without a vote of the school district electors, if the buildings and sites are totally funded from one or more of the following:

(a) Monies in the unrestricted capital outlay fund, except that the estimated cost shall not exceed $250,000 for a district that uses section 15-949.

(b) Monies distributed at the direction of the school facilities oversight board established by section 41-5701.02 or by the school facilities division within the department of administration pursuant to title 41, chapter 56.

(c) Monies specifically donated for the purpose of constructing school buildings.

This paragraph does not eliminate the requirement for an election to raise revenues for a capital outlay override pursuant to section 15-481 or a bond election pursuant to section 15-491.

  1. Conduct a background investigation that includes a fingerprint check conducted pursuant to section 41-1750, subsection G for certificated personnel and personnel who are not paid employees of the school district, as a condition of employment. A school district may release the results of a background check to another school district for employment purposes. Â The school district may charge the costs of fingerprint checks to its fingerprinted employee, except that the school district may not charge the costs of fingerprint checks for personnel who are not paid employees of the school district.

  2. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, sell advertising as follows:

(a) Advertisements shall be age appropriate and not promote any substance that is illegal for minors such as alcohol, tobacco and drugs or gambling. Â Advertisements shall comply with the state sex education policy of abstinence.

(b) Advertising approved by the governing board for the exterior of school buses may appear only on the sides of the bus in the following areas:

(i) The signs shall be below the seat level rub rail and not extend above the bottom of the side windows.

(ii) The signs shall be at least three inches from any required lettering, lamp, wheel well or reflector behind the service door or stop signal arm.

(iii) The signs shall not extend from the body of the bus so as to allow a handhold or present a danger to pedestrians.

(iv) The signs shall not interfere with the operation of any door or window.

(v) The signs shall not be placed on any emergency doors.

(c) The school district shall establish an advertisement fund that is composed of revenues from the sale of advertising. The monies in an advertisement fund are not subject to reversion.

  1. Assess reasonable damage deposits to pupils in grades seven through twelve for using textbooks, musical instruments, band uniforms or other equipment required for academic courses. The governing board shall adopt policies on any damage deposits assessed pursuant to this paragraph at a public meeting called for this purpose after providing notice to all parents of pupils in grades seven through twelve in the school district. Â Principals of individual schools within the district may waive the damage deposit requirement for any textbook or other item if the payment of the damage deposit would create an economic hardship for the pupil. The school district shall return the full amount of the damage deposit for any textbook or other item if the pupil returns the textbook or other item in reasonably good condition within the time period prescribed by the governing board. For the purposes of this paragraph, "in reasonably good condition" means the textbook or other item is in the same or a similar condition as it was when the pupil received it, plus ordinary wear and tear.

  2. Notwithstanding section 15-1105, expend surplus monies in the civic center school fund for maintenance and operations or unrestricted capital outlay if sufficient monies are available in the fund after meeting the needs of programs established pursuant to section 15-1105.

  3. Notwithstanding section 15-1143, spend surplus monies in the community school program fund for maintenance and operations or unrestricted capital outlay if sufficient monies are available in the fund after meeting the needs of programs established pursuant to section 15-1142.

  4. Adopt guidelines to standardize the format of the school report cards required by section 15-746 for schools within the district.

  5. Adopt policies that require parental notification when a law enforcement officer interviews a pupil on school grounds. Policies adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall not impede a peace officer from performing the peace officer's duties. If the school district governing board adopts a policy that requires parental notification:

(a) The policy may provide reasonable exceptions to the parental notification requirement.

(b) The policy shall set forth whether and under what circumstances a parent may be present when a law enforcement officer interviews the pupil, including reasonable exceptions to the circumstances under which a parent may be present when a law enforcement officer interviews the pupil, and shall specify a reasonable maximum time after a parent is notified that an interview of a pupil by a law enforcement officer may be delayed to allow the parent to be present.

  1. Enter into voluntary partnerships with any party to finance with monies other than school district monies and cooperatively design school facilities that comply with the adequacy standards prescribed in section 41-5711 and the square footage per pupil requirements pursuant to section 41-5741, subsection D, paragraph 3, subdivision (b). The design plans and location of any such school facility shall be submitted to the school facilities oversight board for approval pursuant to section 41-5741, subsection 0. If the school facilities oversight board approves the design plans and location of any such school facility, the party in partnership with the school district may cause to be constructed and the district may begin operating the school facility before monies are distributed at the direction of the school facilities oversight board pursuant to section 41-5741. Monies distributed from the new school facilities fund to a school district in a partnership with another party to finance and design the school facility shall be paid to the school district pursuant to section 41-5741. The school district shall reimburse the party in partnership with the school district from the monies paid to the school district pursuant to section 41-5741, in accordance with the voluntary partnership agreement. Before the school facilities oversight board directs the distribution of any monies pursuant to this subsection, the school district shall demonstrate to the school facilities oversight board that the facilities to be funded pursuant to section 41-5741, subsection O meet the minimum adequacy standards prescribed in section 41-5711. If the cost to construct the school facility exceeds the amount that the school district receives from the new school facilities fund, the partnership agreement between the school district and the other party shall specify that, except as otherwise provided by the other party, any such excess costs shall be the responsibility of the school district. The school district governing board shall adopt a resolution in a public meeting that an analysis has been conducted on the prospective effects of the decision to operate a new school with existing monies from the school district's maintenance and operations budget and how this decision may affect other schools in the school district. If a school district acquires land by donation at an appropriate school site approved by the school facilities oversight board and a school facility is financed and built on the land pursuant to this paragraph, the school facilities oversight board shall direct the distribution of an amount equal to twenty percent of the fair market value of the land that can be used for academic purposes. The school district shall place the monies in the unrestricted capital outlay fund and increase the unrestricted capital budget limit by the amount of the monies placed in the fund. Monies distributed under this paragraph shall be distributed from the new school facilities fund pursuant to section 41-5741. If a school district acquires land by donation at an appropriate school site approved by the school facilities oversight board and a school facility is financed and built on the land pursuant to this paragraph, the school district shall not receive monies for the donation of real property pursuant to section 41-5741, subsection F. It is unlawful for:

(a) A county, city or town to require as a condition of any land use approval that a landowner or landowners that entered into a partnership pursuant to this paragraph provide any contribution, donation or gift, other than a site donation, to a school district. This subdivision only applies to the property in the voluntary partnership agreement pursuant to this paragraph.

(b) A county, city or town to require as a condition of any land use approval that the landowner or landowners located within the geographic boundaries of the school subject to the voluntary partnership pursuant to this paragraph provide any donation or gift to the school district except as provided in the voluntary partnership agreement pursuant to this paragraph.

(c) A community facilities district established pursuant to title 48, chapter 4, article 6 to be used for reimbursement of financing the construction of a school pursuant to this paragraph.

(d) A school district to enter into an agreement pursuant to this paragraph with any party other than a master planned community party. Â Any land area consisting of at least three hundred twenty acres that is the subject of a development agreement with a county, city or town entered into pursuant to section 9-500.05 or 11-1101 shall be deemed to be a master planned community. For the purposes of this subdivision, "master planned community" means a land area consisting of at least three hundred twenty acres, which may be noncontiguous, that is the subject of a zoning ordinance approved by the governing body of the county, city or town in which the land is located that establishes the use of the land area as a planned area development or district, planned community development or district, planned unit development or district or other land use category or district that is recognized in the local ordinance of such county, city or town and that specifies the use of such land is for a master planned development.

  1. Enter into an intergovernmental agreement with a presiding judge of the juvenile court to implement a law-related education program as defined in section 15-154. The presiding judge of the juvenile court may assign juvenile probation officers to participate in a law-related education program in any school district in the county. The cost of juvenile probation officers who participate in the program implemented pursuant to this paragraph shall be funded by the school district.

  2. Offer to sell outdated learning materials, educational equipment or furnishings at a posted price commensurate with the value of the items to pupils who are currently enrolled in that school district before those materials are offered for public sale.

  3. If the school district is a small school district as defined in section 15-901, and if allowed by federal law, opt out of federal grant opportunities if the governing board determines that the federal requirements impose unduly burdensome reporting requirements.

  4. Prescribe and enforce policies and procedures for the emergency administration of inhalers by trained employees of the school district and nurses who are under contract with the school district pursuant to section 15-158.

  5. Develop policies and procedures to allow principals to budget for or assist with budgeting federal, state and local monies.

  6. Subject to article IX, section 7, Constitution of Arizona, the laws pertaining to travel and subsistence, gifts, grants, including federal grants, or devises and policies adopted by the department of education, provide food and beverages at school district events, including official school functions and trainings.


A.R.S. § 15-00398

15-398 - Career technical education districts; associate degrees; requirements; reports; definitions

15-398. Career technical education districts; associate degrees; requirements; reports; definitions

A. Notwithstanding any other law, a career technical education district may offer associate degrees that are accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the United States department of education. Beginning on September 24, 2022, any career technical education district seeking to offer an associate degree program pursuant to this section shall apply for accreditation from a regional accreditation agency.

B. Each career technical education district that offers an associate degree program pursuant to this section must meet both of the following:

  1. All applicable regional or national accreditation requirements.

  2. All applicable state licensure requirements.

C. A career technical education district may offer associate degrees only for career technical education district programs that are on the in-demand regional education list compiled pursuant to section 15-393. When determining whether to offer an associate degree program, the career technical education board shall make its determination based on all of the following criteria:

  1. Whether the career technical education district is able to demonstrate industry demand for the associate degree program.

  2. A financial analysis that shows the short-term and long-term impacts to initiate and sustain the associate degree program, including all of the following:

(a) The source of monies.

(b) Facilities requirements.

(c) Faculty.

(d) Personnel.

(e) Administrative costs.

  1. Whether the associate degree program would unnecessarily duplicate the degree programs offered by other institutions of higher education in this state.

  2. The ability of the career technical education district to support the associate degree program with and the adequacy of the facilities, faculty, administration, libraries and other resources.

D. A career technical education district that is located in the same county as the main campus of any public university or community college district and that is developing an associate degree program shall notify the public university or community college at least sixty days before submitting the report prescribed in subsection E of this section. Within thirty days after the date the career technical education district submits the notice, the public university or community college may provide a written response to the career technical education board for its review. This subsection does not allow a public university or community college to prevent a career technical education district from offering an associate degree program.

E. Before the career technical education board authorizes an associate degree program, the career technical education district must submit a report to the career technical education board that includes all of the following information:

  1. The name of the proposed academic degree program.

  2. The academic department that will offer the proposed degree program.

  3. Whether the instructional modality would be immersion or online, or both.

  4. The total credit hours necessary to complete the proposed degree program.

  5. The proposed inception term.

  6. A brief description of the proposed degree program.

  7. A learning outcomes and assessment plan, including:

(a) Concepts.

(b) Competencies.

(c) Assessment methods and measures.

  1. The projected enrollment by year for the first three years the degree program is offered.

  2. Evidence of market demand for the proposed degree program.

  3. Similar degree programs offered at other institutions of higher education in this state.

  4. The new resources required, including a long-term plan for faculty recruitment that indicates the ability to pay the salaries of faculty and identifies recruitment strategies for new faculty.

  5. Any written responses provided by a public university or community college pursuant to subsection D of this section.

  6. Proof of transferability of credits earned in the proposed degree program to another accredited institution for each program offered.

F. Each career technical education district that offers an associate degree program pursuant to this section shall submit a report to the joint legislative audit committee on or before October 1 of the fifth year after initially offering that associate degree program. The report shall review the first five years of the associate degree program at the career technical education district and shall include all of the following:

  1. The number of:

(a) Associate degree programs implemented at the career technical education district.

(b) Applicants to each associate degree program.

(c) Applicants who are admitted into each associate degree program.

(d) Applicants who are enrolled in each associate degree program.

(e) Applicants who received degrees from each associate degree program.

  1. The costs of each associate degree program, including cost per degree and the funding sources that are used to finance each degree program.

  2. Current trends in workforce demands that require associate degrees in each specific associate degree program offered.

  3. Current completion and continuation rates, if available, for each cohort of students participating in each associate degree program.

  4. The extent to which each associate degree program fulfills identified workforce needs for new associate degree programs.

  5. Information on the job placement of graduates of each associate degree program.

  6. For each associate degree program, the costs to students, the amount of financial aid offered and the student debt levels of graduates.

  7. Time-to-degree rates and completion rates for each associate degree program.

G. On or before December 1 of each year, each career technical education district that offers an associate degree program shall report to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the joint legislative budget committee all of the following information for the immediately preceding school year:

  1. The total number of students pursuing an associate degree at the career technical education district pursuant to this section.

  2. The total number of associate degrees completed at the career technical education district.

  3. Workforce data showing demand for each associate degree program offered at the career technical education district.

  4. The average cost of tuition per credit hour for each associate degree program offered at the career technical education district.

H. Each career technical education district that offers an associate degree program pursuant to this section shall provide the student, at the time of enrollment in a program, with a list of institutions to which the student's associate degree is transferable.

I. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Community college" has the same meaning prescribed in section 15-1401.

  2. "Community college district" means a district as defined in section 15-1401.

  3. "Main campus" means the central location of a public university's or community college district's library system and computer center.

  4. "Public university" means a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents.


A.R.S. § 15-00533

15-533 - Proficiency examination; examination reciprocity

15-533. Proficiency examination; examination reciprocity

A. To qualify for a standard teaching certificate, or equivalent certificate later adopted by the state board of education, a person must pass each component of the proficiency examination developed and administered by the state board of education unless otherwise exempted by law. The proficiency examination shall consist of only a professional knowledge test and a subject knowledge test.

B. A person is not required to take any examination pursuant to this section if the person possesses a comparable valid certification from another state and is in good standing with that other state pursuant to section 15-501.01, subsection D.

C. A person who is applying for a standard teaching certificate or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education is not required to take the professional knowledge test, the subject knowledge test or the entire proficiency examination if the person has passed corresponding portions of an examination adopted by a state agency in another state that is similar to the examination adopted by the state board of education. A person who is applying for a standard teaching certificate or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education is not required to take any portion of the proficiency examination if the person has been a full-time teacher or in a full-time school leadership position in any state, including this state, for at least three years in the same area of certification in which the person is applying for certification in this state.

D. An applicant for a standard teaching certificate or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education may demonstrate subject knowledge proficiency instead of taking the subject knowledge test required pursuant to this section by meeting any of the following:

  1. Has taught courses relevant to a content area or subject matter for the last two consecutive years and for a total of at least three years at one or more regionally or nationally accredited public or private postsecondary institutions. The person shall demonstrate compliance with this requirement by providing the state board with written proof of employment for specific durations from one or more qualifying postsecondary institutions.

  2. Has either a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree or a doctoral degree in a subject area that is relevant to a content area or subject matter taught in public schools.

  3. Demonstrates expertise through relevant work experience of at least five years in a field that is relevant to a content area or subject matter taught in public schools. The person shall demonstrate compliance with this requirement by providing the state board with written proof of employment.

E. A person who obtained structured English immersion training in another state that the state board of education determines is comparable to the structured English immersion training required in this state is not required to obtain additional structured English immersion training in this state pursuant to section 15-756.09.

F. The state board of education may grant a standard teaching certificate or any other certificate issued by the board for at least three years to a teacher who has not met the requirements of this section at the time of application.

G. A person is not required to pass the proficiency examination or the equivalent examination more than once. The state board of education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of subsection B or C of this section for persons who have taught, obtained certification or obtained a master's degree in another country.

H. A person who is not required to pass the proficiency examination developed and administered in this state by the state board of education pursuant to this section shall be granted reciprocity for those proficiency examinations required in this state that pertain to the grade levels and content areas that the person is certified to teach in another state.


A.R.S. § 15-00534

15-534 - Fingerprinting; review and disciplinary action; violation; classification

15-534. Fingerprinting; review and disciplinary action; violation; classification

A. A person who applies for a certificate as prescribed in section 15-203 shall have a valid fingerprint clearance card that is issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1. Applicants who possess a certificate pursuant to section 15-203 and who apply for additional certificates or who apply for renewal of any certificate shall meet one of the following requirements:

  1. Have a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1.

  2. Provide proof of the submission of an application for a fingerprint clearance card. Applicants who have been denied a fingerprint clearance card shall also provide proof that the applicant qualifies for a good cause exception hearing pursuant to section 41-619.55.

B. A person who is certified pursuant to section 15-203 shall maintain a valid fingerprint clearance card during the valid period of the person's certificate or certificates.

C. The state board of education may review and determine whether to renew or not issue a certificate to an applicant for certification on a finding that the applicant engaged in conduct that is immoral or unprofessional or engaged in conduct that would warrant disciplinary action if the person had been certified at the time that the alleged conduct occurred. The board shall prescribe guidelines for this process.

D. The state board of education may take disciplinary action against or not renew the certificate of a person on a finding that the certificated person engaged in conduct that is immoral or unprofessional or engaged in conduct that would warrant disciplinary action if the person had been certified at the time that the alleged conduct occurred. The board shall prescribe guidelines for this process.

E. The department of education may issue conditional certification before an applicant has obtained a valid fingerprint clearance card. A conditional certificate may be used only for employment in the school district that submits an application to the department of education for conditional certification pursuant to this subsection. The state board of education may revoke conditional certification if the information on the application for a conditional certificate is false or incomplete, the applicant is denied a fingerprint clearance card or the conditional certificate is used for employment in a school district other than the school district that is indicated on the application for conditional certification. In addition to any other conditions or requirements deemed necessary by the superintendent of public instruction to protect the health and safety of pupils, conditional certification shall be issued before the applicant obtains a fingerprint clearance card if all of the following conditions are met:

  1. The school district that is seeking to hire the applicant verifies in writing on a form developed by the department of education the necessity for hiring and placement of the applicant before a fingerprint check is completed.

  2. The school district that is seeking to hire the applicant performs all of the following:

(a) Ensures that the department of public safety completes a statewide criminal records check on the applicant. A statewide criminal records check shall be completed by the department of public safety every one hundred twenty days until the date that the fingerprint check is completed.

(b) Completes a search of criminal records in all local jurisdictions outside of this state in which the applicant has lived in the previous five years.

(c) Obtains references from the applicant's current employer and two most recent previous employers except for applicants who have been employed for at least five years by the applicant's most recent employer.

(d) Provides general supervision of the applicant until the applicant receives permanent certification from the department of education.

F. Before employment, schools or school districts shall verify the certification and fingerprint status of applicants who apply for school or school district positions that require certification.

G. Any person who participates in a teacher preparation program that is approved by the state board of education or any person who is contracted by this state, by a school district or by a charter school to provide tutoring services shall obtain a fingerprint clearance card pursuant to this section before the person participates in field experience in this state in which services will be provided directly to pupils. A person who participates in a teacher preparation program that is approved by the state board and who does not participate in field experience or student teaching in this state shall not be required to obtain a fingerprint clearance card pursuant to this section.

H. The state board of education shall notify the department of public safety if the state board of education receives credible evidence that a person who possesses a valid fingerprint clearance card either:

  1. Is arrested for or charged with an offense listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B.

  2. Falsified information on the form required by subsection A of this section.

I. A person who makes a false statement, representation or certification in any application for certification is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.


A.R.S. § 16-00138

16-138 - Voter registration database; federal only voters; analysis; annual report; investigation

16-138. Voter registration database; federal only voters; analysis; annual report; investigation

(L21, Ch. 405, sec. 4)

A. The secretary of state shall provide access to the statewide voter registration database to a person or entity that is designated by the legislature and to the election integrity unit of the attorney general's office for the purposes of determining whether the secretary of state's voter registration list maintenance procedures comply with federal law with respect to voters who are registered as voters eligible to vote only for federal offices.

B. The person or entity that is designated by the legislature must be qualified in more than one state to analyze a state's voter registration rolls for compliance with federal law regarding voter registration list maintenance procedures. After completing its analysis, the person or entity shall report its findings to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the attorney general and the secretary of state. If the analysis determines that there are persons registered to vote who are not eligible to register to vote, the secretary of state shall notify the appropriate county recorder and the county recorder shall remove those persons from the voter registration rolls.

C. Each county recorder shall submit an annual report to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate that contains the following regarding voters who are eligible to vote only for federal offices:

  1. A description of the county recorder's procedures regarding registering those voters who are eligible to vote only for federal offices.

  2. The number of voters in that county who are eligible to vote only for federal offices.

  3. The number of those voters whose citizenship has been otherwise subsequently verified and whose status has changed to voters who are eligible to vote a full ballot.

  4. A comprehensive description of the obstacles to obtaining voter registrants' documentary proof of citizenship that complies with this state's voter registration requirements and to changing their status to voters who are eligible to vote a full ballot.

  5. The number of those voters who have been subsequently determined to be ineligible to vote in this state and who have been removed from the voter registration rolls.

D. The attorney general and the county attorney shall investigate and prosecute, as appropriate, any person who is ineligible to register to vote and who knowingly registers to vote.


A.R.S. § 16-00166

16-166 - Verification of registration

16-166. Verification of registration

(Caution:Â 1998 Prop. 105 applies)

A. Except for the mailing of sample ballots, a county recorder who mails an item to any elector shall send the mailing by nonforwardable first class mail marked with the statement required by the postmaster to receive an address correction notification. If the item is returned undelivered, the county recorder shall send a follow-up notice to that elector within three weeks of receipt of the returned notice. The county recorder shall send the follow-up notice to the address that appears in the general county register or to the forwarding address provided by the United States postal service. The follow-up notice shall include an appropriate internet address for revising voter registration information or a registration form and the information prescribed by section 16-131, subsection C and shall state that if the elector does not complete and return a new registration form with current information to the county recorder or make changes to the elector's voter registration information that is maintained online within thirty-five days, the elector's registration status shall be changed from active to inactive.

B. If the elector provides the county recorder with a new registration form or otherwise revises the elector's information, the county recorder shall change the general register to reflect the changes indicated on the new registration. If the elector indicates a new residence address outside that county, the county recorder shall forward the voter registration form or revised information to the county recorder of the county in which the elector's address is located. If the elector provides a new residence address that is located outside this state, the county recorder shall cancel the elector's registration.

C. The county recorder shall maintain on the inactive voter list the names of electors who have been removed from the general register pursuant to subsection A or E of this section for a period of four years or through the date of the second general election for federal office following the date of the notice from the county recorder that is sent pursuant to subsection E of this section.

D. On notice that a government agency has changed the name of any street, route number, post office box number or other address designation, the county recorder shall revise the registration records and shall send a new verification of registration notice to the electors whose records were changed.

E. The county recorder on or before May 1 of each year preceding a state primary and general election or more frequently as the recorder deems necessary may use the change of address information supplied by the postal service through its licensees and the information provided by an electronic voter registration information center to identify registrants whose addresses may have changed. If it appears from information provided by the postal service or an electronic voter registration information center that a registrant has moved to a different residence address, the county recorder shall send the registrant a notice of the change by forwardable mail and a postage prepaid preaddressed return form or an appropriate internet address for revising voter registration information by which the registrant may verify or correct the registration information. If the registrant fails to revise the information or return the form postmarked not later than thirty-five days after the mailing of the notice, the elector's registration status shall be changed from active to inactive. If the notice sent by the recorder is not returned, the registrant may be required to provide affirmation or confirmation of the registrant's address in order to vote. If the registrant does not vote in an election during the period after the date of the notice from the recorder through the date of the second general election for federal office following the date of that notice, the registrant's name shall be removed from the list of inactive voters. If the registrant has changed residence to a new county, the county recorder shall provide information on how the registrant can continue to be eligible to vote.

F. The county recorder shall reject any application for registration that is not accompanied by satisfactory evidence of United States citizenship. Satisfactory evidence of citizenship shall include any of the following:

  1. The number of the applicant's driver license or nonoperating identification license issued after October 1, 1996 by the department of transportation or the equivalent governmental agency of another state within the United States if the agency indicates on the applicant's driver license or nonoperating identification license that the person has provided satisfactory proof of United States citizenship.

  2. A legible photocopy of the applicant's birth certificate that verifies citizenship to the satisfaction of the county recorder.

  3. A legible photocopy of pertinent pages of the applicant's United States passport identifying the applicant and the applicant's passport number or presentation to the county recorder of the applicant's United States passport.

  4. A presentation to the county recorder of the applicant's United States naturalization documents or the number of the certificate of naturalization. If only the number of the certificate of naturalization is provided, the applicant shall not be included in the registration rolls until the number of the certificate of naturalization is verified with the United States immigration and naturalization service by the county recorder.

  5. Other documents or methods of proof that are established pursuant to the immigration reform and control act of 1986.

  6. The applicant's bureau of Indian affairs card number, tribal treaty card number or tribal enrollment number.

G. Notwithstanding subsection F of this section, any person who is registered in this state on the effective date of this amendment to this section is deemed to have provided satisfactory evidence of citizenship and shall not be required to resubmit evidence of citizenship unless the person is changing voter registration from one county to another.

H. For the purposes of this section, proof of voter registration from another state or county is not satisfactory evidence of citizenship.

I. A person who modifies voter registration records with a new residence ballot shall not be required to submit evidence of citizenship. After citizenship has been demonstrated to the county recorder, the person is not required to resubmit satisfactory evidence of citizenship in that county.

J. After a person has submitted satisfactory evidence of citizenship, the county recorder shall indicate this information in the person's permanent voter file. After two years the county recorder may destroy all documents that were submitted as evidence of citizenship.


A.R.S. § 16-00245

16-245 - Form and content of ballot

16-245. Form and content of ballot

A. Ballots and ballot labels for the presidential preference election shall be printed on different colored paper or white paper with a different colored stripe for each party represented on the presidential preference election ballot. Only one party may be represented on each ballot. At the top shall be printed "official ballot of the __ party, presidential preference election (date), county of _, state of Arizona".

B. The order of the names of certified candidates on the ballot shall be determined by lots drawn at a public meeting called by the secretary of state for that purpose. Rotation of candidate names is prohibited. The certified candidates shall be listed under the title "___ party candidates for President of the United States". Immediately below shall be printed "vote for not more than one". The ballot may also contain printed instructions to voters as prescribed for other elections.

C. The officer in charge of elections shall provide a sample ballot proof to the state committee chairman of each qualified candidate's state committee no later than five days after receipt of the certification from the secretary of state.

D. The officer in charge of elections shall mail one sample ballot of each party represented on the presidential preference election ballot to each household that contains a registered voter of that political party unless that registered voter is on the active early voting list established pursuant to section 16-544. The return address on the sample ballot mailer shall not contain the name of any elected or appointed official, and the name of an appointed or elected official shall not be used to indicate who produced the sample ballot.

E. The mailing face of each sample ballot shall be imprinted with the great seal of the state of Arizona with the words "official voting materials — presidential preference election". The polling place for that household may also be designated on the mailing face of the sample ballot.


A.R.S. § 16-00461

16-461 - Sample primary election ballots; submission to party chairmen for examination; preparation, printing and distribution of ballot

16-461. Sample primary election ballots; submission to party chairmen for examination; preparation, printing and distribution of ballot

A. At least forty-five days before a primary election, the officer in charge of that election shall:

  1. Prepare a proof of a sample ballot.

  2. Submit the sample ballot proof of each party to the county chairman or in city or town primaries to the city or town chairman.

  3. Mail a sample ballot proof to each candidate for whom a nomination paper and petitions have been filed.

B. Within two calendar days after receipt of the sample ballot, the county chairman of each political party and any candidate in that election who has submitted and confirmed an email address shall suggest to the election officer any change the chairman or candidate considers should be made in the chairman's or candidate's party ballot, and if on examination the election officer finds an error or omission on the ballot, the officer shall correct it. The election officer shall print and distribute the sample ballots as required by law, shall maintain a copy of each sample ballot and shall post a notice indicating that sample ballots are available on request. The official sample ballot shall be printed on colored paper or white paper with a different colored stripe for each party that is represented on that ballot. For voters who are not registered with a party that is entitled to continued representation on the ballot pursuant to section 16-804, the election officer may print and distribute the required sample ballots in an alternative format, including a reduced size format.

C. Not later than forty days before a primary election, the county chairman of a political party may request one sample primary election ballot of the chairman's party for each election precinct.

D. The board of supervisors shall have printed mailer-type sample ballots for a primary election and shall mail at least eleven days before the election one sample ballot of a political party to each household containing a registered voter of that political party unless that registered voter is on the active early voting list established pursuant to section 16-544. Each sample ballot shall contain the following statement:Â "This is a sample ballot and cannot be used as an official ballot under any circumstances". A certified claim shall be presented to the secretary of state by the board of supervisors for the actual cost of printing, labeling and postage of each sample ballot actually mailed, and the secretary of state shall direct payment of the authenticated claim from funds of the secretary of state's office.

E. For city and town elections, the governing body of a city or town may have printed mailer-type sample ballots for a primary election. If the city or town has printed such sample ballots, the city or town shall provide for the distribution of such ballots and shall bear the expense of printing and distributing such sample ballots.

F. The return address on the mailer-type sample ballots shall not contain the name of an appointed or elected public officer nor may the name of an appointed or elected public officer be used to indicate who produced the sample ballot.

G. The great seal of the state of Arizona shall be imprinted along with the words "official voting materials" on the mailing face of each sample ballot. In county, city or town elections the seal of such jurisdiction shall be substituted for the state seal.


A.R.S. § 16-00510

16-510 - Sample ballots; preparation and distribution

16-510. Sample ballots; preparation and distribution

A. Before printing the sample ballots for the general election the board of supervisors shall send to each candidate whose name did not appear on the preceding primary election ballot and to the county chairperson of each political party a ballot proof of the sample ballot for the candidate's and chairperson's review. Within two calendar days after receipt of the sample ballot, those candidates and the county chairperson of each political party shall suggest to the election officer any change the candidate or chairperson considers should be made to the ballot, and if on examination the election officer finds an error or omission on the ballot, the officer shall correct the error or omission.

B. The board of supervisors shall print and distribute, for the information of voters at each polling place, a number of sample ballots as it deems necessary.

C. The board of supervisors shall have printed mailer-type sample ballots for a general election and shall mail at least eleven days before the election one such sample ballot to each household in the county containing a registered voter unless that registered voter is on the active early voting list established pursuant to section 16-544. Each sample ballot shall contain the following statement: "This is a sample ballot and cannot be used as an official ballot under any circumstances". A certified claim shall be presented to the secretary of state by the board of supervisors for the actual cost of printing, labeling and postage of each sample ballot actually mailed, and the secretary of state shall direct payment of the authenticated claim from funds of the secretary of state's office.

D. For city and town elections, the governing body of a city or town may have printed mailer-type sample ballots for a general election. If the city or town has printed such sample ballots, the city or town shall provide for the distribution of such ballots and shall bear the expense of printing and distributing such sample ballots.

E. For special district elections, the governing body of a special district may have printed mailer-type sample ballots. If the special district has printed such sample ballots, the special district shall provide for the distribution of such ballots and shall bear the expense of printing and distributing such sample ballots.


A.R.S. § 16-00550

16-550 - Receipt of voter's ballot; cure period; tracking system

16-550. Receipt of voter's ballot; cure period; tracking system

A. Except for early ballots tabulated as prescribed in section 16-579.02 or, beginning in 2026, received at a voting location after a voter's identification is confirmed as prescribed by section 16-579, subsection A, paragraph 4, on receipt of the envelope containing the early ballot and the mail affidavit, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall compare the signature on the envelope with the signature of the elector on the elector's registration record as prescribed by section 16-550.01. If the signature is inconsistent with the elector's signature on the elector's registration record, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall make reasonable efforts to contact the voter, advise the voter of the inconsistent signature and allow the voter to correct or the county to confirm the inconsistent signature. The county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall allow signatures to be corrected not later than the fifth business day after a primary, general or special election that includes a federal office or the third business day after any other election. If the election is a primary, general or special election that includes a federal office and there are outstanding ballots that require identification or ballot signatures to be corrected or confirmed, in addition to the office's regular business hours, the county recorder's and any city or town clerks' offices that have an agreement with a county to be used as locations at which a voter may submit proof of identification shall be open during regular business hours to allow for curing signatures during the Friday and weekend before and the Friday and weekend after the election. Regular business hours include at a minimum 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If there are no ballots remaining that require identification or signatures to be cured, the county recorder and city and town clerks are not required to be open during the weekend. If the signature is missing, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall make reasonable efforts to contact the elector, advise the elector of the missing signature and allow the elector to add the elector's signature not later than 7:00 p.m. on election day. If satisfied that the signatures correspond, the recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall hold the envelope containing the early ballot and the completed mail affidavit unopened in accordance with the rules of the secretary of state. Signatures that cannot be verified pursuant to section 16-550.01 or cured pursuant to this section shall be rejected. If the ballot is a conditional provisional ballot, the voter shall provide proof of identification to the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections not later than the fifth business day after a primary, general or special election that includes a federal office or the third business day after any other election. Beginning with the first missing or mismatched signature that is identified after the period of early voting begins through the Monday immediately preceding the election, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall submit daily to the political parties that are qualified for continued representation on the state ballot an updated list of all voters whose signatures are missing or inconsistent with the voter's signature on the voter's registration record. Beginning on the Wednesday immediately following the election through the end of the signature cure period after a primary, general or special election that includes a federal office, or the third business day after the election for any other election, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall submit daily to the political parties that are qualified for continued representation on the state ballot an updated list of all voters whose signatures are inconsistent with the voter's signature on the voter's registration record and all voters who voted with a conditional provisional ballot. This list of voters whose signatures require curing shall include for those voters all voter information that is provided to the political parties that are qualified for continued representation on the state ballot as prescribed by section 16-168.

B. The recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall thereafter safely keep the mail affidavits and early ballots in the recorder's or other officer's office and may deliver them for tallying pursuant to section 16-551.

C. Processing and tabulation of individual ballots may begin immediately after the envelope and completed mail affidavit are processed pursuant to this section and delivered to the early election board and shall continue without delay until completed. Until election day, the early election board and the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall:

  1. Not access an aggregated complete results file of early voting and vote by mail ballots that were processed and tabulated by the end of the early voting period.

  2. Not produce for internal or external use an aggregated results report or associated files of complete results.

  3. Only produce a partial results report or associated files if it is part of the internal preparation for the hand count pursuant to section 16-602 or for the logic and accuracy testing required pursuant to section 16-449.

  4. Not publicly release complete or partial results, whether for internal or external use, until all precincts have reported or one hour after the closing of the polls on election day, whichever is earlier.

D. The county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall post on its website within forty-eight hours after all ballot tabulation is complete all system log files and other similar files from the election management system that verify compliance with subsection C of this section.

E. The county recorder shall send a list of all voters who were issued early ballots to the election board of the precinct in which the voter is registered.

F. For a county that uses early ballots, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall provide an early ballot tracking system that indicates whether the voter's early ballot has been received and whether the early ballot has been verified and sent to be tabulated or rejected. The county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall provide voters with access to the early ballot tracking system on the county's website.

G. This section does not apply to:

  1. A special taxing district that is authorized pursuant to section 16-191 to conduct its own elections.

  2. A special district mail ballot election that is conducted pursuant to article 8.1 of this chapter.


A.R.S. § 16-00552

16-552 - Early ballots; processing; challenges

16-552. Early ballots; processing; challenges

A. In a jurisdiction that uses optical scan ballots, the officer in charge of elections may use the procedure prescribed by this section or may request approval from the secretary of state for a different method for processing early ballots. The request shall be made in writing at least ninety days before the election for which the procedure is intended to be used. After the election official has confirmed with the secretary of state that all election equipment passes the logic and accuracy test, the election official may begin to count early ballots. No early ballot results may be released except as prescribed by section 16-551.

B. The early election board shall check the voter's mail ballot affidavit on the envelope containing the early ballot. If it is found to be sufficient, the vote shall be allowed. If the mail ballot affidavit is insufficient, the vote shall not be allowed. Beginning in 2026, for an early ballot that is received and verified as prescribed by section 16-579, subsection A, paragraph 4, additional signature verification is not required.

C. The county chairman of each political party represented on the ballot, by written appointment addressed to the early election board, may designate party representatives and alternates to act as early ballot challengers for the party. No party may have more than the number of such representatives or alternates that were mutually agreed on by each political party to be present at one time. If such agreement cannot be reached, the number of representatives shall be limited to one for each political party.

D. An early ballot may be challenged on any grounds set forth in section 16-591. All challenges shall be made in writing with a brief statement of the grounds before the early ballot is placed in the ballot box. A record of all challenges and resulting proceedings shall be kept in substantially the same manner as provided in section 16-594. If an early ballot is challenged, it shall be set aside and retained in the possession of the early election board or other officer in charge of early ballot processing until a time that the early election board sets for determination of the challenge, subject to the procedure in subsection E of this section, at which time the early election board shall hear the grounds for the challenge and shall decide what disposition shall be made of the early ballot by majority vote. If the early ballot is not allowed, it shall be handled pursuant to subsection G of this section.

E. Within twenty-four hours of receipt of a challenge, the early election board or other officer in charge of early ballot processing shall mail, by first class mail, a notice of the challenge including a copy of the written challenge, and also including the time and place at which the voter may appear to defend the challenge, to the voter at the mailing address shown on the request for an early ballot or, if none was provided, to the mailing address shown on the registration rolls. Notice shall also be mailed to the challenger at the address listed on the written challenge and provided to the county chairman of each political party represented on the ballot. The board shall meet to determine the challenge at the time specified by the notice but, in any event, not earlier than ninety-six hours after the notice is mailed, or forty-eight hours if the notifying party chooses to deliver the notice by overnight or hand delivery, and not later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday following the election. The board shall provide the voter with an informal opportunity to make, or to submit, brief statements regarding the challenge. The board may decline to permit comments, either in person or in writing, by anyone other than the voter, the challenger and the party representatives. The burden of proof is on the challenger to show why the voter should not be permitted to vote. The fact that the voter fails to appear shall not be deemed to be an admission of the validity of the challenge. The early election board or other officer in charge of early ballot processing is not required to provide the notices described in this subsection if the written challenge fails to set forth at least one of the grounds listed in section 16-591 as a basis for the challenge. In that event, the challenge will be summarily rejected at the meeting of the board. Except for election contests pursuant to section 16-672, the board's decision is final and may not be appealed.

F. If the vote is allowed, the board shall open the envelope containing the ballot in such a manner that the mail ballot affidavit thereon is not destroyed, take out the ballot without unfolding it or permitting it to be opened or examined and show by the records of the election that the elector has voted.

G. If the vote is not allowed, the mail ballot affidavit envelope containing the early ballot shall not be opened and the board shall mark across the face of such envelope the grounds for rejection. The mail ballot affidavit envelope and its contents shall then be deposited with the opened mail ballot affidavit envelopes and shall be preserved with official returns. If the voter does not enter an appearance, the board shall send the voter a notice stating whether the early ballot was disallowed and, if disallowed, providing the grounds for the determination. The notice shall be mailed by first class mail to the voter's mailing address as shown on the registration rolls within three days after the board's determination.

H. Party representatives and alternates may be appointed as provided in subsection C of this section to be present and to challenge the verification of questioned ballots pursuant to section 16-584 on any grounds allowed by this section. Questioned ballots that are challenged shall be presented to the early election board for decision under the provisions of this section.


A.R.S. § 16-00579

16-579 - Procedure for obtaining ballot by elector

16-579. Procedure for obtaining ballot by elector

(Caution:Â 1998 Prop. 105 applies)

A. Every qualified elector, before receiving a ballot, shall announce the elector's name and place of residence in a clear, audible tone of voice to the election official in charge of the signature roster or present the elector's name and residence in writing. The election official in charge of the signature roster shall comply with the following and the qualified elector shall be allowed within the voting area:

  1. The elector shall present any of the following:

(a) A valid form of identification that bears the photograph, name and address of the elector that reasonably appear to be the same as the name and address in the precinct register, including an Arizona driver license, an Arizona nonoperating identification license, a tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification or a United States federal, state or local government issued identification. Identification is deemed valid unless it can be determined on its face that it has expired.

(b) Two different items that contain the name and address of the elector that reasonably appear to be the same as the name and address in the precinct register, including a utility bill, a bank or credit union statement that is dated within ninety days of the date of the election, a valid Arizona vehicle registration, an Arizona vehicle insurance card, an Indian census card, tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification, a property tax statement, a recorder's certificate, a voter registration card, a valid United States federal, state or local government issued identification or any mailing that is labeled as "official election material". Identification is deemed valid unless it can be determined on its face that it has expired.

(c) A valid form of identification that bears the photograph, name and address of the elector except that if the address on the identification does not reasonably appear to be the same as the address in the precinct register or the identification is a valid United States military identification card or a valid United States passport and does not bear an address, the identification must be accompanied by one of the items listed in subdivision (b) of this paragraph.

  1. If the elector does not present identification that complies with paragraph 1 of this subsection, the elector is only eligible to vote a provisional ballot as prescribed by section 16-584 or a conditional provisional ballot as provided for in the secretary of state's instruction and procedures manual adopted pursuant to section 16-452.

  2. Through 2025, if the voter surrenders the early ballot to the precinct inspector and the voter is not otherwise required to be issued a provisional ballot, the voter shall be issued a standard ballot after presenting identification pursuant to this subsection. The precinct inspector shall retain the surrendered early ballot, unopened in its affidavit envelope.

  3. Beginning in 2026, at any voting location the voter may choose to provide identification when presenting the voter's mailed early ballot, and if so the election official shall:

(a) Require the voter to present identification that complies with paragraph 1 of this subsection.

(b) Confirm that the name and address on the identification reasonably appear to be the same name and address shown on the voter's registration record.

(c) Stamp the signed affidavit with a stamp that reads "ID verified" and place the stamped affidavit that contains the early ballot in a secured ballot box that is labeled for early ballots. The stamped affidavit envelope is not required to be reviewed at the voting location, the voter's early ballot is deemed ready for tabulating and additional signature verification of the completed affidavit envelope as prescribed by section 16-550 is not required.

(d) Maintain a tally of the number of ballots that have been deposited in the secured ballot box and sign an affidavit that includes the election official's name, the polling location, the time and date, the number of early ballots deposited according to the tally maintained by the election official and a statement sufficient to record and maintain the chain of custody for those ballots.

B. Any qualified elector who is listed as having applied for an early ballot but who states that the elector has not voted and will not vote an early ballot for this election or surrenders the early ballot to the precinct inspector on election day shall be allowed to vote pursuant to the procedure set forth in section 16-584, except that for elections conducted using an electronic pollbook or similar system with continuous voter usage updates, the following apply:

  1. If the electronic pollbook or other system indicates that the voter's early ballot has not been returned or accepted by the county recorder and the voter is not otherwise required to be issued a provisional ballot, the voter may be issued a standard ballot after presenting identification pursuant to subsection A of this section.

  2. If the electronic pollbook or other system indicates that the voter's early ballot has been received or accepted by the county recorder, the voter may not be issued a standard ballot and may only be issued a provisional ballot as prescribed in section 16-584.

C. Each qualified elector's name shall be numbered consecutively by the clerks and in the order of applications for ballots. The judge shall give the qualified elector only one ballot and a ballot privacy folder, and the elector's name shall be immediately checked on the precinct register. Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection, an elector shall not be required to accept or use a ballot privacy folder.

D. For precincts in which a paper signature roster is used, each qualified elector shall sign the elector's name in the signature roster before receiving a ballot, but an inspector or judge may sign the roster for an elector who is unable to sign because of physical disability, and in that event the name of the elector shall be written with red ink, and no attestation or other proof shall be necessary. The provisions of this subsection relating to signing the signature roster do not apply to electors casting a ballot using early voting procedures.

E. For precincts in which an electronic poll book system is used, each qualified elector shall sign the elector's name as prescribed in the instructions and procedures manual adopted by the secretary of state pursuant to section 16-452 before receiving a ballot, but an inspector or judge may sign the roster for an elector who is unable to sign because of physical disability, and in that event the name of the elector shall be written with the inspector's or judge's attestation on the same signature line.

F. A person offering to vote at a special district election for which no special district register has been supplied shall sign an affidavit stating the person's address and that the person resides within the district boundaries or proposed district boundaries and swearing that the person is a qualified elector and has not already voted at the election being held.


A.R.S. § 16-00805

16-805 - Findings of fact and statement of public policy by the legislature of the state of Arizona concerning steps which must be taken to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens of this state and the safety of this state from international Communistic conspiracy

16-805. Findings of fact and statement of public policy by the legislature of the state of Arizona concerning steps which must be taken to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens of this state and the safety of this state from international Communistic conspiracy

A. Upon evidence and proof which has been presented before this legislature, other state legislatures, the Congress of the United States and in the courts of the United States and in the courts of the several states; and although recognizing that the federal constitution vests the conduct of foreign relations in the federal government and the federal constitution guarantees to the several states a republican form of government and protection against foreign invasion and domestic violence, this state has the duty of self-preservation and the taking of necessary measures to cooperate with the federal government in the preservation of the peace and safety of the state of Arizona and in order to carry out article II, section 21 of the Arizona Constitution relating to free and equal elections and article VII, section 12 of the Arizona Constitution relating to the enactment of laws to secure the purity of elections; and in order to guard against the abuse of the elective franchise by the Communist Party of the United States which from time to time has qualified as a purported legitimate political party in the state of Arizona; and in order to secure to the citizens of this state their unalienable personal rights and liberty of conscience secured by the provisions of the Constitution of Arizona and in order to protect the peace and safety of the state of Arizona from the overthrow of its constitutional government by force or violence, and of its political subdivisions, the legislature of the state of Arizona finds and declares that, unlike other political parties which have evolved their policy and programs through public means, by the reconciliation of a wide variety of individual views, and submit those policies and programs to the electorate at large for approval or disapproval, the policies and programs of the Communist Party are prescribed for it by the foreign leaders of the world Communist movement.

B. The Communist Party members have no part in determining its goals and are not permitted to voice dissent to party objectives. Unlike members of political parties, members of the Communist Party are recruited for indoctrination with respect to its objectives and methods, and are organized, instructed and disciplined to carry into action slavishly the assignments given them by their hierarchical chieftains. Unlike legitimate political parties, the Communist Party acknowledges no constitutional or statutory limitations upon its conduct or upon that of its members. The Communist Party is relatively small numerically and gives scant indication of capacity ever to attain its ends by lawful political means. The peril inherent in its operation arises not from its numbers, but from its failure to acknowledge any limitation as to the nature of its activities, and its dedication to the proposition that the present constitutional government of the United States, the governments of the several states, and the government of the state of Arizona and its political subdivisions ultimately must be brought to ruin by any available means, including resort to force and violence.

C. The establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship in any country results in the suppression of all opposition to the party in power, the subordination of the rights of individuals to the state, the denial of fundamental rights and liberties which are characteristic of a representative form of government, such as freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, and of religious worship, and said totalitarian dictatorship ruthlessly suppresses academic freedom and inquiry into any human knowledge except the official doctrines of the dictatorship. This results in the maintenance of control over the people through fear, terrorism and brutality.

D. It is the public policy of this state to protect the safety of the constitutional government of the state of Arizona by constitutional means and at the same time protect the rights of the members of our free society to speak, to assemble and to inquire, including the principle of academic freedom which by fostering healthy self-criticism is especially vital in the progress of man's moral values and in man's exploration of the secrets of the atom on this planet and in outer space. To protect the safety of this state and the right of free citizens in a free society to inquire and to understand totalitarianism, it is essential that the schools, colleges and universities teach objectively and critically the governmental and social forms of past and present totalitarian slave states, including the foreign languages spoken therein. The rights set forth in this subsection do not include the right to embrace Communism or to attempt to persuade others to embrace Communism.

E. The direction and control of the world Communist movement is vested in and exercised by the Communist dictatorship of a foreign country.

F. The Communist dictatorship of such foreign country, in exercising such direction and control and in furthering the purposes of the world Communist movement, establishes or causes the establishment of, and utilizes, in various countries, action organizations which are not free and independent organizations, but are sections of a worldwide Communist organization and are controlled, directed and subject to the discipline of the Communist dictatorship of such foreign country.

G. The Communist action organizations so established and utilized in various countries, acting under such control, direction and discipline, endeavor to carry out the objectives of the world Communist movement by bringing about the overthrow of existing governments by any available means, including force or violence if necessary, and setting up Communist totalitarian dictatorships which will be subservient to the most powerful existing Communist totalitarian dictatorship. Although such organizations usually designate themselves as political parties, they are in fact constituent elements of the worldwide Communist movement and promote the objectives of such movement by conspiratorial and coercive tactics, instead of through the democratic processes of a free elective system or through the freedom-preserving means employed by a legitimate political party which operates as an agency by which people govern themselves.

H. In the United States and in this state those individuals who knowingly and wilfully participate in the world Communist movement, when they so participate, in effect repudiate their allegiance to the United States and this state, and in effect transfer their allegiance to the foreign country in which is vested the direction and control of the world Communist movement.

I. The Communist movement in the several states is an organization numbering thousands of adherents, rigidly and ruthlessly disciplined. Awaiting and seeking to advance at a moment when the several states may be so far extended by foreign engagements, so far divided in counsel, or so far in industrial or financial straits, that overthrow of the government of the United States and of the several states by force or violence may seem possible of achievement, it seeks converts far and wide by an extensive system of schooling and indoctrination. Such preparations by Communist organizations in other countries, including the recent events in the neighboring country of Cuba, have aided in supplanting existing governments. The Communist organization in the United States and in the several states, pursuing its stated objectives, the recent successes of Communist methods in other countries and the nature and control of the world Communist movement itself, present a clear and present danger to the security of the government of the United States, the governments of the several states and the government of the state of Arizona, including its political subdivisions, that make it necessary that the state of Arizona enact appropriate legislation, recognizing the existence of such worldwide Communist conspiracy, and designed to prevent it from accomplishing its purposes in this state and its political subdivisions. Therefore, the Communist Party should not be permitted to avail itself of the privileges, rights and immunities conferred by law upon legitimate political parties.


A.R.S. § 16-01023

16-1023 - Digital impersonation of candidate or other person; relief; applicability; definitions

16-1023. Digital impersonation of candidate or other person; relief; applicability; definitions

A. A candidate for public office or political party office who will appear on the ballot in this state or any citizen of this state may bring an action for digital impersonation within two years after the date that the person knows, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should know, that a digital impersonation of the person who is bringing the action was published. The sole remedy on this cause of action is preliminary and permanent declaratory relief except as otherwise expressly provided by this section. To prevail on an action prescribed by this section, a plaintiff must prove all of the following:

  1. That a digital impersonation of the person was published to one or more other persons without the person's consent.

  2. That at the time of publication either of the following applies:

(a) The publisher did not reasonably convey to the persons to whom the publication was made that the recording or image was a digital impersonation or that its authenticity was disputed.

(b) It would not be obvious to a reasonable person that the recording or image was a digital impersonation.

B. If the digital impersonation is or is part of a paid advertisement, a cause of action for digital impersonation may be brought only against the person or entity that originated, ordered, placed or paid for the advertisement.

C. A provider of an interactive computer service may not be subject to an action for digital impersonation for publishing information that is provided by another information content provider.

D. A person who brings an action for digital impersonation may file a complaint and a motion for preliminary declaratory relief in the superior court. The plaintiff shall make diligent efforts to both serve and provide prompt actual notice to all defendants. The publisher of the alleged digital impersonation has the right to appear, be heard and present evidence before the court's entry of preliminary declaratory relief, but a defendant's failure to appear does not preclude a court from granting preliminary declaratory relief.

E. The court shall rule on the motion for preliminary declaratory relief within two days after the date that the complaint and motion are received by the judicial officer who is assigned to the case, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and court holidays. Preliminary declaratory relief may be granted against a defendant who does not appear only if the plaintiff's complaint is verified and a declaration is filed that states why with the exercise of reasonable diligence the defendant could not be served. If the court grants preliminary declaratory relief against a defendant who does not appear, the order granting the relief must be filed promptly in the clerk's office and entered in the record and must state all of the following:

  1. The date and hour the order was issued.

  2. Why the order was issued without notice.

  3. The date and hour the order expires.

  4. Any additional information that the judicial officer believes is necessary or appropriate to effectuate the order.

F. Preliminary declaratory relief may be granted only if the plaintiff proves the elements of digital impersonation prescribed by subsection A of this section and at least one of the following additional elements:

  1. The person is a candidate for public office or political party office and an election is scheduled to be held for that public office or political party office within one hundred eighty days of the date that the relief is requested.

  2. The digital impersonation depicts the person engaging in a sexual act or depicts the unclothed breasts, buttocks or genitals of the person.

  3. The digital impersonation depicts the person engaging in a criminal act.

  4. In the absence of preliminary declaratory relief, the person can be reasonably expected to suffer significant personal or financial hardship or loss of employment opportunities.

  5. In the absence of preliminary declaratory relief, the person's reputation will be irreparably harmed.

G. If the defendant does not appear and contest the claim and no other party intervenes as a defendant, the plaintiff is not entitled to taxable costs.

H. If a defendant has not been served within ninety days after the date of filing and no party has appeared or intervened as a defendant in intervention, the claims against that defendant shall be dismissed and any preliminary relief that was granted shall expire unless the court finds that the interests of justice require otherwise.

I. In addition to declaratory relief as prescribed in subsections A through F of this section, a plaintiff in an action for digital impersonation may obtain injunctive relief and damages only if the elements of digital impersonation prescribed in subsection A of this section and all of the following elements are proven:

  1. The digital impersonation depicts the person engaging in a sexual act or depicts the unclothed breasts, buttocks or genitals of the person, appeals to prurient interests and offends local community standards.

  2. The plaintiff was not a public figure, including a limited public figure, at the time the cause of action accrued.

  3. The publication was made with actual knowledge that the recording or image was a digital impersonation or the publisher failed to take reasonable corrective action within twenty-one days after the publisher had actual knowledge that the recording or image was a digital impersonation. Reasonable corrective action includes removing or disabling access to the digital impersonation and publishing to the same audience a statement that the publication was a digital impersonation.

J. If preliminary declaratory relief is granted, any factual or legal determinations made by the court shall not be considered by the trier of fact or the court at any later stage of the proceeding or in any other proceeding.

K. The standard of proof for actions prescribed by this section is:

  1. For preliminary declaratory relief, clear and convincing evidence.

  2. For injunctive relief and damages, clear and convincing evidence.

  3. For permanent declaratory relief, a preponderance of the evidence.

L. A plaintiff who brings an action under this section may file a complaint in the superior court for the county in which the plaintiff resides or, if the plaintiff is a candidate for President of the United States, in Maricopa county or in any county in which one of the candidate's political party's appointees for elector resides.

M. A parent or guardian of a minor child or incapacitated person may seek relief under this section on the minor child's or incapacitated person's behalf.

N. This section shall be narrowly construed in favor of both free and open discourse on matters of public concern and artistic expression and shall not be construed so as to abrogate any cause of action otherwise available.

O. All parties to a contested action seeking permanent declaratory relief, permanent injunctive relief or damages and that is brought pursuant to this section have the right to trial by jury.

P. This section applies fourteen days after the effective date of this section.

Q. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Digital impersonation" means synthetic media, typically video, audio or still image, that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Has been digitally manipulated to convincingly replace one person's likeness or voice with that of another using deep generative methods and artificial intelligence techniques, or for which one person's likeness or voice has otherwise been simulated using deep generative methods and artificial intelligence techniques.

(b) Was created with the intention to deceive or lead reasonable listeners or viewers into believing that the content is authentic.

(c) Would lead reasonable viewers or listeners to believe that it is a true and accurate depiction of the impersonated person's voice or likeness and is something the impersonated person said or did.

(d) Is not commentary, parody, satire, criticism or artistic expression.

(e) Was not created by the impersonated person or with the impersonated person's consent.

  1. "Election" means any election in this state, including a primary, presidential preference, special or general election.

  2. "Information content provider" means any person or entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for the creation or development of information provided through the internet or any other interactive computer service.

  3. "Interactive computer service" means any information service, system or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet and such systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions.

  4. "Political party office" means an office to which persons are elected within a political party.

  5. "Public office":

(a) Means any office to which persons are elected by ballot at an election administered by this state or a political subdivision of this state.

(b) Includes the office of President of the United States where a candidate's name or a candidate's political party appointees for elector will appear on the ballot in this state.


A.R.S. § 17-00101

17-101 - Definitions

17-101. Definitions

A. In this title, unless the context otherwise requires:

  1. "Angling" means taking fish by one line and not more than two hooks, by one line and one artificial lure, which may have attached more than one hook, or by one line and not more than two artificial flies or lures.

  2. "Bag limit" means the maximum limit, in number or amount, of wildlife that any one person may lawfully take during a specified period of time.

  3. "Closed season" means the time during which wildlife may not be lawfully taken.

  4. "Commission" means the Arizona game and fish commission.

  5. "Department" means the Arizona game and fish department.

  6. "Device" means any net, trap, snare, salt lick, scaffold, deadfall, pit, explosive, poison or stupefying substance, crossbow, firearm, bow and arrow, or other implement used for taking wildlife. Device does not include a raptor or any equipment used in the sport of falconry.

  7. "Domicile" means a person's true, fixed and permanent home and principal residence. Proof of domicile in this state may be shown as prescribed by rule by the commission.

  8. "Falconry" means the sport of hunting or taking quarry with a trained raptor.

  9. "Fishing" means to lure, attract or pursue aquatic wildlife in such a manner that the wildlife may be captured or killed.

  10. "Fur dealer" means any person engaged in the business of buying for resale the raw pelts or furs of wild mammals.

  11. "Guide" means a person who meets any of the following:

(a) Advertises for guiding services.

(b) Holds himself out to the public for hire as a guide.

(c) Is employed by a commercial enterprise as a guide.

(d) Accepts compensation in any form commensurate with the market value in this state for guiding services in exchange for aiding, assisting, directing, leading or instructing a person in the field to locate and take wildlife.

(e) Is not a landowner or lessee who, without full fair market compensation, allows access to the landowner's or lessee's property and directs and advises a person in taking wildlife.

  1. "License classification" means a type of license, permit, tag or stamp authorized under this title and prescribed by the commission by rule to take, handle or possess wildlife.

  2. "License year" means the twelve-month period between January 1 and December 31, inclusive, or a different twelve-month period as prescribed by the commission by rule.

  3. "Nonresident", for the purposes of applying for a license, permit, tag or stamp, means a citizen of the United States or an alien who is not a resident.

  4. "Open season" means the time during which wildlife may be lawfully taken.

  5. "Possession limit" means the maximum limit, in number or amount of wildlife, that any one person may possess at one time.

  6. "Resident", for the purposes of applying for a license, permit, tag or stamp, means a person who is:

(a) A member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty and who is stationed in:

(i) This state for a period of thirty days immediately preceding the date of applying for a license, permit, tag or stamp.

(ii) Another state or country but who lists this state as the person's home of record at the time of applying for a license, permit, tag or stamp.

(b) Domiciled in this state for six months immediately preceding the date of applying for a license, permit, tag or stamp and who does not claim residency privileges for any purpose in any other state or jurisdiction.

(c) A youth who resides with and is under the guardianship of a person who is a resident.

  1. "Road" means any maintained right-of-way for public conveyance.

  2. "Statewide" means all lands except those areas lying within the boundaries of state and federal refuges, parks and monuments, unless specifically provided differently by commission order.

  3. "Take" means pursuing, shooting, hunting, fishing, trapping, killing, capturing, snaring or netting wildlife or placing or using any net or other device or trap in a manner that may result in capturing or killing wildlife.

  4. "Taxidermist" means any person who engages for hire in mounting, refurbishing, maintaining, restoring or preserving any display specimen.

  5. "Traps" or "trapping" means taking wildlife in any manner except with a gun or other implement in hand.

  6. "Wild" means, in reference to mammals and birds, those species that are normally found in a state of nature.

  7. "Wildlife" means all wild mammals, wild birds and the nests or eggs thereof, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans and fish, including their eggs or spawn.

  8. "Youth" means a person who is under eighteen years of age.

  9. "Zoo" means a commercial facility open to the public where the principal business is holding wildlife in captivity for exhibition purposes.

B. The following definitions of wildlife shall apply:

  1. "Aquatic wildlife" means fish, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans and soft-shelled turtles.

  2. "Big game" means wild turkey, deer, elk, pronghorn (antelope), bighorn sheep, bison (buffalo), peccary (javelina), bear and mountain lion.

  3. "Fur-bearing animals" means muskrats, raccoons, otters, weasels, bobcats, beavers, badgers and ringtail cats.

  4. "Game fish" means trout of all species, bass of all species, catfish of all species, sunfish of all species, northern pike, walleye and yellow perch.

  5. "Game mammals" means deer, elk, bear, pronghorn (antelope), bighorn sheep, bison (buffalo), peccary (javelina), mountain lion, tree squirrel and cottontail rabbit.

  6. "Migratory game birds" means wild waterfowl, including ducks, geese and swans, sandhill cranes, all coots, all gallinules, common snipe, wild doves and bandtail pigeons.

  7. "Nongame animals" means all wildlife except game mammals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, predatory animals and aquatic wildlife.

  8. "Nongame birds" means all birds except upland game birds and migratory game birds.

  9. "Nongame fish" means all the species of fish except game fish.

  10. "Predatory animals" means foxes, skunks, coyotes and bobcats.

  11. "Raptors" means birds that are members of the order of falconiformes or strigiformes and includes falcons, hawks, owls, eagles and other birds that the commission may classify as raptors.

  12. "Small game" means cottontail rabbits, tree squirrels, upland game birds and migratory game birds.

  13. "Trout" means all species of the family salmonidae, including grayling.

  14. "Upland game birds" means quail, partridge, grouse and pheasants.


A.R.S. § 17-00333

17-333 - License classifications; fees; reduced fee and complimentary licenses; annual report; review

17-333. License classifications; fees; reduced fee and complimentary licenses; annual report; review

A. The commission shall prescribe by rule license classifications that are valid for the taking or handling of wildlife, fees for licenses, permits, tags and stamps and application fees.

B. The commission may temporarily reduce or waive any fee prescribed by rule under this title on the recommendation of the director.

C. The commission may reduce the fees for licenses and issue complimentary licenses, including the following:

  1. A complimentary license to a pioneer who is at least seventy years of age and who has been a resident of this state for twenty-five or more consecutive years immediately before applying for the license. The pioneer license is valid for the licensee's lifetime, and the commission may not require renewal of the license.

  2. A complimentary license to a veteran of the armed forces of the United States who has been a resident of this state for one year or more immediately before applying for the license and who receives compensation from the United States government for a permanent service-connected disability rated as one hundred percent disabling.

  3. A license for a reduced fee of up to twenty-five percent less than the full license fee to a veteran of the United States armed forces who has been a resident of this state for one year or more immediately before applying for the license and who receives compensation from the United States government for a service-connected disability.

  4. A license for a reduced fee that is one-half of the full license fee to a person who has been a resident of this state for one year or more immediately before applying for the license and who submits satisfactory proof to the department that the person is a veteran and a bona fide purple heart medal recipient.

  5. A youth license for a reduced fee to a resident of this state who is either:

(a) A member of the boy scouts of America and who has attained the rank of eagle scout.

(b) A member of the girl scouts of the USA and who has received the gold award.

D. All monies collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in the game and fish fund established by section 17-261.

E. On or before December 31 of each year, the commission shall submit an annual report to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairperson of the senate natural resources, energy and water committee and the chairperson of the house of representatives energy, environment and natural resources committee, or their successor committees, that includes information relating to license classifications, fees for licenses, permits, tags and stamps and any other fees that the commission prescribes by rule. The joint legislative audit committee may assign a committee of reference to hold a public hearing and review the annual report submitted by the commission.


A.R.S. § 17-00340

17-340 - Revocation, suspension and denial of privilege of taking wildlife; civil penalty; notice; violation; classification

17-340. Revocation, suspension and denial of privilege of taking wildlife; civil penalty; notice; violation; classification

A. On conviction, on entering a deferred prosecution agreement or after adjudication as a delinquent juvenile as defined in section 8-201 and in addition to other penalties prescribed by this title, the commission, after a public hearing, may revoke or suspend a license issued to any person under this title and deny the person the right to secure another license to take or possess wildlife for a period of not to exceed five years for:

  1. Unlawful taking, unlawful selling, unlawful offering for sale, unlawful bartering or unlawful possession of wildlife.

  2. Careless use of firearms that resulted in the injury or death of any person.

  3. Destroying, injuring or molesting livestock or damaging or destroying growing crops, personal property, notices or signboards or other improvements while hunting, trapping or fishing.

  4. Littering public hunting or fishing areas while taking wildlife.

  5. Knowingly allowing another person to use the person's big game tag, except as provided by section 17-332, subsection D.

  6. A violation of section 17-303, 17-304, 17-316 or 17-341 or section 17-362, subsection A.

  7. A violation of section 17-309, subsection A, paragraph 5 involving a waste of edible portions other than meat damaged due to the method of taking as follows:

(a) Upland game birds, migratory game birds and wild turkey:Â breast.

(b) Deer, elk, pronghorn (antelope), bighorn sheep, bison (buffalo) and peccary (javelina):Â hind quarters, front quarters and loins.

(c) Game fish:Â fillets of the fish.

  1. A violation of section 17-309, subsection A, paragraph 1 involving any unlawful use of aircraft to take, assist in taking, harass, chase, drive, locate or assist in locating wildlife.

  2. A violation of title 13 involving the taking or possession of wildlife.

B. An active license revocation for an agreement to defer prosecution terminates after the licensee provides proof to the commission that:

  1. The licensee satisfactorily completed the terms and obligations of a deferred prosecution program.

  2. The criminal charges filed against the licensee are dismissed.

  3. The licensee completed all required training courses.

  4. The licensee paid in full all civil penalties imposed pursuant to section 17-314.

C. On conviction or after adjudication as a delinquent juvenile and in addition to any other penalties prescribed by this title:

  1. For a first conviction or a first adjudication as a delinquent juvenile, for unlawfully taking or wounding wildlife at any time or place, the commission, after a public hearing, may revoke, suspend or deny the person's privilege to take wildlife for a period of up to five years.

  2. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, for a second conviction, on entering a second agreement to defer prosecution, for a second adjudication as a delinquent juvenile or any combination of convictions, deferred prosecution agreements or adjudications that constitute a second final disposition, for unlawfully taking or wounding wildlife at any time or place, the commission, after a public hearing, may revoke, suspend or deny the person's privilege to take wildlife for a period of up to ten years.

  3. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, for a third conviction, on entering a third agreement to defer prosecution, for a third adjudication as a delinquent juvenile or any combination of convictions, deferred prosecution agreements or adjudications that constitute a third final disposition, for unlawfully taking or wounding wildlife at any time or place, the commission, after a public hearing, may revoke, suspend or deny the person's privilege to take wildlife permanently.

D. In accordance with title 41, chapter 6, article 10 and notwithstanding subsection A of this section, a person against whom the commission imposes a civil penalty under section 17-314 for the unlawful taking, wounding, killing or possession of wildlife may be denied the right to obtain a license to take wildlife until the person pays the civil penalty in full.

E. On receiving a report from the licensing authority of a state that is a party to the wildlife violator compact adopted under chapter 5 of this title that a resident of this state has failed to comply with the terms of a wildlife citation, the commission, after a public hearing, may suspend any license issued under this title to take wildlife until the licensing authority furnishes satisfactory evidence of compliance with the terms of the wildlife citation.

F. In carrying out this section, the director shall notify the licensee, within one hundred eighty days after conviction, to appear and show cause why the license should not be revoked, suspended or denied. The notice may be served personally or by certified mail sent to the address appearing on the license.

G. The commission shall furnish to license dealers the names and addresses of persons whose licenses have been revoked or suspended and the periods for which they have been denied the right to secure licenses.

H. The commission may use the services of the office of administrative hearings to conduct hearings and to make recommendations to the commission pursuant to this section.

I. Except for a person who takes or possesses wildlife while under permanent revocation, a person who takes wildlife in this state, or attempts to obtain a license to take wildlife, at a time when the person's privilege to do so is suspended, revoked or denied under this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.


A.R.S. § 17-00502

17-502 - Adoption and text of compact

17-502. Adoption and text of compact

The wildlife violator compact is adopted and enacted into law as follows:

Article 1

Findings, declaration of policy and purpose

(a) The participating states find that:

(1) Wildlife resources are managed in trust by the respective states for the benefit of all residents and visitors.

(2) The protection of the wildlife resources of a state is materially affected by the degree of compliance with state statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances and administrative rules relating to the management of such resources.

(3) The preservation, protection, management and restoration of wildlife contributes immeasurably to the aesthetic, recreational and economic aspects of such natural resources.

(4) Wildlife resources are valuable without regard to political boundaries; therefore, every person should be required to comply with wildlife preservation, protection, management and restoration laws, ordinances, and administrative rules and regulations of the participating states as a condition precedent to the continuance or issuance of any license to hunt, fish, trap or possess wildlife.

(5) Violation of wildlife laws interferes with the management of wildlife resources and may endanger the safety of persons and property.

(6) The mobility of many wildlife law violators necessitates the maintenance of channels of communication among the various states.

(7) In some states, a person who is cited for a wildlife violation in a state other than his home state:

(i) Is required to post collateral or a bond to secure appearance for a trial at a later date; or

(ii) Is taken into custody until the collateral or bond is posted; or

(iii) Is taken directly to court for an immediate appearance.

(8) The purpose of the enforcement practices set forth in paragraph (7) of this article is to ensure compliance with the terms of a wildlife citation by the cited person who, if permitted to continue on his way after receiving the citation, could return to his home state and disregard his duty under the terms of the citation.

(9) In most instances, a person receiving a wildlife citation in his home state is permitted to accept the citation from the officer at the scene of the violation and immediately continue on his way after agreeing or being instructed to comply with the terms of the citation.

(10) The practices described in paragraph (7) of this article cause unnecessary inconvenience and, at times, a hardship for the person who is unable at the time to post collateral, furnish a bond, stand trial or pay a fine, and thus is compelled to remain in custody until some alternative arrangement is made.

(11) The enforcement practices described in paragraph (7) of this article consume an undue amount of law enforcement time.

(b) It is the policy of the participating states to:

(1) Promote compliance with the statutes, laws, ordinances, regulations and administrative rules relating to management of wildlife resources in their respective states.

(2) Recognize the suspension of wildlife license privileges of any person whose license privileges have been suspended by a participating state and treat such suspension as if it had occurred in their state provided the violation which resulted in the suspension could have been the basis for suspension in their state.

(3) Allow a violator, except as provided in paragraph (b) of article III, to accept a wildlife citation and, without delay, proceed on his way, whether or not a resident of the state in which the citation was issued, provided that the violator's home state is party to this compact.

(4) Report to the appropriate participating state, as provided in the compact manual, any conviction recorded against any person whose home state was not the issuing state.

(5) Allow the home state to recognize and treat convictions recorded against its residents, which convictions occurred in a participating state, as though they had occurred in the home state.

(6) Extend cooperation to its fullest extent among the participating states for enforcing compliance with the terms of a wildlife citation issued in one participating state to a resident of another participating state.

(7) Maximize effective use of law enforcement personnel and information.

(8) Assist court systems in the efficient disposition of wildlife violations.

(c) The purpose of this compact is to:

(1) Provide a means through which a participating state may join in a reciprocal program to effectuate the policies enumerated in paragraph (b) of this article in a uniform and orderly manner.

(2) Provide for the fair and impartial treatment of wildlife violators operating within participating states in recognition of the violator's right to due process and the sovereign status of a participating state.

Article II

Definitions

As used in this compact, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Citation" means any summons, complaint, summons and complaint, ticket, penalty assessment or other official document issued to a person by a wildlife officer or other peace officer for a wildlife violation which contains an order requiring the person to respond.

(b) "Collateral" means any cash or other security deposited to secure an appearance for trial in connection with the issuance by a wildlife officer or other peace officer of a citation for a wildlife violation.

(c) "Compliance" with respect to a citation means the act of answering a citation through an appearance in a court or tribunal, or through the payment of fines, costs and surcharges, if any.

(d) "Conviction" means a conviction, including any court conviction, for any offense related to the preservation, protection, management or restoration of wildlife which is prohibited by state statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule, and such conviction shall also include the forfeiture of any bail, bond or other security deposited to secure appearance by a person charged with having committed any such offense, the payment of a penalty assessment, a plea of nolo contendere and the imposition of a deferred or suspended sentence by the court.

(e) "Court" means a court of law, including magistrate's court and the justice of the peace court.

(f) "Home state" means the state of primary residence of a person.

(g) "Issuing state" means the participating state which issues a wildlife citation to the violator.

(h) "License" means any license, permit or other public document which conveys to the person to whom it was issued the privilege of pursuing, possessing or taking any wildlife regulated by statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule of a participating state.

(i) "Licensing authority" means the department or division within each participating state which is authorized by law to issue or approve licenses or permits to hunt, fish, trap or possess wildlife.

(j) "Participating state" means any state which enacts legislation to become a member of this wildlife compact.

(k) "Personal recognizance" means an agreement by a person made at the time of issuance of the wildlife citation that such person will comply with the terms of the citation.

(l) "State" means any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the provinces of Canada and other countries.

(m) "Suspension" means any revocation, denial or withdrawal of any or all license privileges, including the privilege to apply for, purchase or exercise the benefits conferred by any license.

(n) "Terms of the citation" means those conditions and options expressly stated upon the citation.

(o) "Wildlife" means all species of animals including, but not limited to, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans, which are defined as "wildlife" and are protected or otherwise regulated by statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule in a participating state. Species included in the definition of "wildlife" vary from state to state and determination of whether a species is "wildlife" for the purposes of this compact shall be based on local law.

(p) "Wildlife law" means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule developed and enacted for the management of wildlife resources and the uses thereof.

(q) "Wildlife officer" means any individual authorized by a participating state to issue a citation for a wildlife violation.

(r) "Wildlife violation" means any cited violation of a statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule developed and enacted for the management of wildlife resources and the uses thereof.

Article III

Procedures for issuing state

(a) When issuing a citation for a wildlife violation, a wildlife officer shall issue a citation to any person whose primary residence is in a participating state in the same manner as though the person were a resident of the issuing state and shall not require such person to post collateral to secure appearance, subject to the exception noted in paragraph (b) of this article, if the officer receives the recognizance of such person that he will comply with the terms of the citation.

(b) Personal recognizance is acceptable (1) if not prohibited by local law or the compact manual and (2) if the violator provides adequate proof of identification to the wildlife officer.

(c) Upon conviction or failure of a person to comply with the terms of a wildlife citation, the appropriate official shall report the conviction or failure to comply to the licensing authority of the participating state in which the wildlife citation was issued. The report shall be made in accordance with procedures specified by the issuing state.

(d) Upon receipt of the report of conviction or noncompliance pursuant to paragraph (c) of this article, the licensing authority of the issuing state shall transmit to the licensing authority of the home state of the violator the information in form and content as prescribed in the compact manual.

Article IV

Procedure for home state

(a) Upon receipt of a report from the licensing authority of the issuing state reporting the failure of a violator to comply with the terms of a citation, the licensing authority of the home state shall notify the violator and shall initiate a suspension action in accordance with the home state's suspension procedures and shall suspend the violator's license privileges until satisfactory evidence of compliance with the terms of the wildlife citation has been furnished by the issuing state to the home state licensing authority. Due process safeguards will be accorded.

(b) Upon receipt of a report of conviction from the licensing authority of the issuing state, the licensing authority of the home state shall enter such conviction in its records and shall treat such conviction as though it occurred in the home state for the purposes of the suspension of license privileges.

(c) The licensing authority of the home state shall maintain a record of actions taken and shall make reports to issuing states.

Article V

Reciprocal recognition of suspension

(a) All participating states shall recognize the suspension of license privileges of any person by any participating state as though the violation resulting in the suspension had occurred in their state and could have been the basis for suspension of license privileges in their state.

(b) Each participating state shall communicate suspension information to other participating states in form and content as contained in the compact manual.

Article VI

Applicability of other Laws

(a) Except as expressly required by provisions of this compact, nothing herein shall be construed to affect the right of any participating state to apply any of its laws relating to license privileges to any person or circumstance or to invalidate or prevent any agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a participating state and a nonparticipating state concerning wildlife law enforcement.

Article VII

Compact administrator procedures

(a) For the purpose of administering the provisions of this compact and to serve as a governing body for the resolution of all matters relating to the operation of this compact, a board of compact administrators is established. The board shall be composed of one representative from each of the participating states to be known as the compact administrator. The compact administrator shall be appointed by the head of the licensing authority of each participating state and shall serve and be subject to removal in accordance with the laws of the state he represents. A compact administrator may provide for the discharge of his duties and the performance of his function as a board member by an alternate. An alternate shall not be entitled to serve unless written notification of his identity has been given to the board.

(b) Each member of the board of compact administrators shall be entitled to one vote. No action of the board shall be binding unless taken at a meeting at which a majority of the total number of the board's votes are cast in favor thereof. Action by the board shall be only at a meeting at which a majority of the participating states are represented.

(c) The board shall elect annually from its membership a chairman and vice-chairman.

(d) The board shall adopt bylaws not inconsistent with the provisions of this compact or the laws of a participating state for the conduct of its business and shall have the power to amend and rescind its bylaws.

(e) The board may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this compact any and all donations and grants of monies, equipment, supplies, materials and services conditional or otherwise, from any state, the United States or any governmental agency, and may receive, utilize and dispose of same.

(f) The board may contract with, or accept services or personnel from, any governmental or intergovernmental agency, individual, firm or corporation, or any private nonprofit organization or institution.

(g) The board shall formulate all necessary procedures and develop uniform forms and documents for administering the provisions of this compact. All procedures and forms adopted pursuant to board action shall be contained in a compact manual.

Article VIII

Entry into compact and withdrawal

(a) This compact shall become effective at such time as it is adopted in a substantially similar form by two or more states.

(b) (1) Entry into the compact shall be made by resolution of ratification executed by the authorized officials of the applying state and submitted to the chairman of the board.

(2) The resolution shall substantially be in the form and content as provided in the compact manual and shall include the following:

(i) A citation of the authority from which the state is empowered to become a party to this compact;

(ii) An agreement of compliance with the terms and provisions of this compact;

(3) The effective date of entry shall be specified by the applying state but shall not be less than sixty days after notice has been given (a) by the chairman of the board of the compact administrators or (b) by the secretary of the board to each participating state that the resolution from the applying state has been received.

(c) A participating state may withdraw from participation in this compact by official written notice to each participating state, but withdrawal shall not become effective until ninety days after the notice of withdrawal is given. The notice shall be directed to the compact administrator of each member state. No withdrawal of any state shall affect the validity of this compact as to the remaining participating states.

Article IX

Amendments to the compact

(a) This compact may be amended from time to time. Amendments shall be presented in resolution form to the chairman of the board of compact administrators and shall be initiated by one or more participating states.

(b) Adoption of an amendment shall require endorsement by all participating states and shall become effective thirty days after the date of the last endorsement.

Article X

Construction and severability

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes stated herein. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating state or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, individual or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any participating state, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the participating state affected as to all severable matters.

Article XI

Title

This compact shall be known as the "wildlife violator compact".


A.R.S. § 18-00701

18-701; Version 0 - Internet pornography; age verification; prohibited data retention or transmission; verification methods; applicability; civil liability; attorney fees and costs; definitions

18-701. Internet pornography; age verification; prohibited data retention or transmission; verification methods; applicability; civil liability; attorney fees and costs; definitions

A. A commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material on an internet website, including a social media platform, of which more than one-third is sexual material that is harmful to minors shall use reasonable age verification methods to verify that an individual who attempts to access the material is eighteen years of age or older.

B. A commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material on an internet website or a third-party entity that performs age verification pursuant to this section shall require an individual to do either of the following:

  1. Provide a form of digital identification that does not cause or allow the individual's identifying information to be transmitted to any federal, state or local government entity.

  2. Comply with a commercial age verification system that does not cause or allow the individual's identifying information to be transmitted to any federal, state or local government entity and verifies age using either of the following:

(a) Government-issued identification.

(b) A commercially reasonable method that relies on public or private transactional data to verify the age of an individual.

C. A commercial entity or a third-party entity that performs the age verification that is required by this section may not retain any identifying information of the individual and may not cause or allow any identifying information of the individual to be directly or indirectly transmitted to any federal, state or local government entity.

D. This section does not apply to a bona fide news or public interest broadcast, website video, report or event and may not be construed to affect the rights of a news-gathering organization.

E. An internet service provider, or its affiliates or subsidiaries, a search engine or a cloud service provider may not be held to have violated this section solely for providing access or connection to or from a website or other information or content on the internet or on a facility, system or network not under that internet service provider's control, including transmission, downloading, intermediate storage, access software or other services to the extent that the internet service provider or search engine is not responsible for the creation of the content that constitutes sexual material that is harmful to minors.

F. The parent or guardian of a minor who accesses material harmful to minors and a person whose identifying information was retained or transmitted because of an entity's violation of this section has a right of action against the offending entity. The court may award a successful plaintiff in an action brought pursuant to this section a penalty for a violation of this section:

  1. In an amount equal to not more than the total, if applicable, of both of the following:

(a) $10,000 per day that the entity operates an internet website in violation of the age verification requirements of this section.

(b) $10,000 per instance when the entity retains or transmits identifying information in violation of subsection C of this section.

  1. For an additional amount of not more than $250,000 if, because of the entity's violation of the age verification requirements of this section, one or more minors accesses sexual material that is harmful to minors.

G. The court shall determine the amount of a penalty that is imposed pursuant to this section based on all of the following factors:

  1. The seriousness of the violation, including the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation.

  2. The history of previous violations.

  3. The amount necessary to deter a future violation.

  4. The economic effect of a penalty on the entity on whom the penalty will be imposed.

  5. The entity's knowledge that the act constituted a violation of this section.

  6. Any other matter that justice may require.

H. A successful plaintiff may recover reasonable and necessary attorney fees and costs that are incurred in an action under this section.

I. In any action that is brought or maintained pursuant to this section, all personally identifiable information of users, including the user's name, shall be redacted before the information is produced.

J. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Commercial entity" includes a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, sole proprietorship or other legally recognized business entity.

  2. "Digital identification" means information that is stored on a digital network that may be accessed by a commercial entity and that serves as proof of the identity of an individual.

  3. "Distribute" means to issue, sell, give, provide, deliver, transfer, transmute, circulate or disseminate by any means.

  4. "Minor" means an individual under eighteen years of age.

  5. "News-gathering organization" includes the following:

(a) An employee of a newspaper, news publication or news source, printed or on an online or mobile platform, of current news and public interest, who is acting within the course and scope of that employment and can provide documentation of that employment with the newspaper, news publication or news source.

(b) An employee of a radio broadcast station, television broadcast station, cable television operator or wire service who is acting within the course and scope of that employment and can provide documentation of that employment.

  1. "Publish" means to communicate or make information available to another person or entity on a publicly available internet website.

  2. "Sexual material that is harmful to minors" includes any material that:

(a) The average person applying contemporary community standards would find, taking the material as a whole and with respect to minors, is designed to appeal to or pander to the prurient interest;

(b) In a manner patently offensive with respect to minors, exploits, is devoted to, or principally consists of descriptions of actual, simulated or animated displays or depictions of any of the following:

(i) A person's pubic hair, anus or genitals or the nipple of the female breast;

(ii) Touching, caressing or fondling of nipples, breasts, buttocks, anuses or genitals;

(iii) Sexual intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, bestiality, oral copulation, flagellation, excretory functions, exhibitions or any other sexual act and

(c) Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors.

  1. "Transactional data":

(a) Means a sequence of information that documents an exchange, agreement, or transfer between an individual, commercial entity or third-party entity that is used to satisfy a request or event.

(b) Includes records from mortgage, education and employment entities.


A.R.S. § 20-00271

20-271 - Lienholders; proof; accidents; notice; applicability

20-271. Lienholders; proof; accidents; notice; applicability

A. An insured or claimant shall provide information as part of the proof of loss concerning the existence of any lien or encumbrance against the vehicle involved in the accident or incident giving rise to the damage or loss. A claim shall not be an acceptable proof of loss until satisfactory evidence of the existence of any lien or encumbrance has been provided to the insurer. This section shall not apply if the amount of damages or loss does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars.

B. An insurer shall be entitled to rely upon information provided by the insured or claimant pursuant to subsection A concerning the existence of any lien or encumbrance against the vehicle. An insurer that acts in good faith upon the information provided by the claimant or insured shall not be liable for any damages arising from the insured's or claimant's failure to provide accurate information to the insurer concerning existence of any lien or encumbrance against the vehicle involved in the accident or incident giving rise to the damage or loss.

C. An insured or claimant shall be liable for any damages arising from the failure of the insured or claimant to provide accurate information pursuant to subsection A regarding the existence of any lien or encumbrance against the vehicle involved in the accident or incident giving rise to the damage or loss.

D. This section shall not apply if an insurer does either of the following with respect to the repair of damages or loss to a vehicle:

  1. Issues a release of claims in the names or makes the proceeds payable to both the insured or claimant and all lienholders or vehicle lessors.

  2. Makes the proceeds payable to the motor vehicle repair facility after verification by the insurer that the damage or loss has been repaired.


A.R.S. § 20-00448

20-448 - Unfair discrimination; definitions

20-448. Unfair discrimination; definitions

A. A person shall not make or permit any unfair discrimination between individuals of the same class and equal expectation of life in the rates charged for any contract of life insurance or of life annuity or in the dividends or other benefits payable or in any other of the terms and conditions of the contract.

B. A person shall not make or permit any unfair discrimination respecting hemophiliacs or between individuals of the same class and of essentially the same hazard in the amount of premium, policy fees or rates charged for any policy or contract of disability insurance or in the benefits payable or in any of the terms or conditions of the contract, or in any other manner whatever. The provisions of this subsection regarding hemophiliacs do not apply to any policy or subscription contract that provides only benefits for specific diseases or for accidental injuries or that provides only indemnity for blood transfusion services or replacement of whole blood products, fractions or derivatives.

C. As to kinds of insurance other than life and disability, a person shall not make or permit any unfair discrimination in favor of particular persons or between insureds or subjects of insurance having substantially like insuring, risk and exposure factors, or expense elements, in the terms or conditions of any insurance contract, or in the rate or amount of premium charged.

D. An insurer shall not refuse to consider an application for life or disability insurance on the basis of a genetic condition, developmental delay or developmental disability.

E. The rejection of an application or the determining of rates, terms or conditions of a life or disability insurance contract on the basis of a genetic condition, developmental delay or developmental disability constitutes unfair discrimination, unless the applicant's medical condition and history and either claims experience or actuarial projections establish that substantial differences in claims are likely to result from the genetic condition, developmental delay or developmental disability.

F. In addition to the provisions in subsection E of this section, the rejection of an application or the determination of rates, terms or conditions of a disability insurance contract on the basis of a genetic condition constitutes unfair discrimination in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to information obtained as a result of a genetic test.

G. An insurer that offers life, disability or long-term care insurance contracts may not unfairly discriminate against a living organ donor in the offering, issuance, price or conditions of an insurance policy based solely, and without additional actuarial risks, on that person's status as a living organ donor.Â

H. An insurer that offers life, disability, property or liability insurance contracts shall not deny a claim incurred or deny, refuse, refuse to renew, restrict, cancel, exclude or limit coverage or charge a different rate for the same coverage solely on the basis that the insured or proposed insured is or has been a victim of domestic violence or is an entity or individual that provides counseling, shelter, protection or other services to victims of domestic violence. If an insurer that offers life, disability, property or liability insurance contracts denies a claim incurred or denies, refuses, refuses to renew, restricts, cancels, excludes or limits coverage or charges a different rate for the same coverage on the basis of a mental or physical condition and the insured or the proposed insured is or has been a victim of domestic violence, the insurer shall submit a written explanation to the insured or proposed insured of the reasons for the insurer's actions, in accordance with section 20-2110. The fact that an insured or proposed insured is or has been the victim of domestic violence is not a mental or physical condition. This subsection is not intended to provide any private right or cause of action to or on behalf of any applicant or insured. It is the specific intent of this subsection to provide solely an administrative remedy to the director for any violation of this section. This subsection does not prevent an insurer from refusing to issue a life insurance policy insuring a person who has been the victim of domestic violence if either of the following is true:

  1. The family or household member who commits the act of domestic violence is the applicant for or prospective owner of the policy or would be the beneficiary of the policy and any of the following is true:

(a) The applicant or prospective beneficiary of the policy is known, on the basis of police or court records, to have committed an act of domestic violence.

(b) The insurer has knowledge of an arrest or conviction for a domestic violence related offense by the family or household member.

(c) The insurance company has other reasonable grounds to believe, and those grounds are corroborated, that the applicant or proposed beneficiary of a policy is a family or household member committing acts of domestic violence.

  1. The applicant or prospective owner of the policy lacks an insurable interest in the insured.

I. Subsection H of this section does not prevent an insurer that:

  1. Offers life or disability insurance contracts from underwriting coverage on the basis of an insured's or proposed insured's mental or physical condition if the underwriting:

(a) Does not consider whether or not the mental or physical condition was caused by an act of domestic violence.

(b) Is the same for an insured or proposed insured who is not the victim of domestic violence as it is for an insured or proposed insured who is the victim of domestic violence.

(c) Does not violate any other rule or law.

  1. Offers property or liability insurance contracts from underwriting coverage on the basis of the insured's claims history or characteristics of the insured's property and using rating criteria consistent with section 20-384.

J. Any determination made pursuant to section 20-2537 by the external independent review organization shall not be considered in connection with the evaluation of whether any person subject to this article has complied with this section.

K. A property or liability insurer may exclude coverage for losses caused by an insured's intentional or fraudulent act. The exclusion shall not deny an insured's otherwise covered property loss if the property loss is caused by an act of domestic violence by another insured under the policy and the insured who claims the property loss cooperates in any investigation relating to the loss and did not cooperate in or contribute to the creation of the property loss. The insurer may apply reasonable standards of proof for claims filed under this subsection. The insurer may limit the payment to the insured's insurable interest in the property minus any payment made to any mortgagee or other party with a secured interest in the property. This subsection does not require an insurer to pay any amount that is more than the amount of the loss or property coverage limits. An insurer who pays a claim under this subsection has the right of subrogation against any person except the victim of the domestic violence.

L. All insurers shall adopt and adhere to written policies that are consistent with chapter 11 of this title and that specify the procedures to be followed by employees, contractors, producers, agents and brokers to ensure the privacy of and to help protect the safety of a victim of domestic violence when taking an application, investigating a claim, pursuing subrogation or taking any other action relating to a policy or claim involving a victim of domestic violence. Insurers shall distribute the written policies to employees, contractors, producers, agents and brokers who have access to personal or privileged information regarding domestic violence.

M. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Developmental delay" means a delay of at least one and one-half standard deviations from the norm.

  2. "Developmental disability" has the same meaning prescribed in section 36-551.

  3. "Domestic violence" means any act that is a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 or an offense defined in section 13-1201 through 13-1204, 13-1302 through 13-1304, 13-1502 through 13-1504 or 13-1602, section 13-2810, section 13-2904, subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3 or 6, section 13-2916 or section 13-2921, 13-2921.01, 13-2923 or 13-3623, if any of the following applies:

(a) The relationship between the victim and the defendant is one of marriage or former marriage or of persons residing or having resided in the same household.

(b) The victim and the defendant have a child in common.

(c) The victim or the defendant is pregnant by the other party.

(d) The victim is related to the defendant or the defendant's spouse by blood or court order as a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister, or by marriage as a parent-in-law, grandparent-in-law, stepparent, step-grandparent, stepchild, step-grandchild, brother-in-law or sister-in-law.

(e) The victim is a child who resides or has resided in the same household as the defendant and is related by blood to a former spouse of the defendant or to a person who resides or has resided in the same household as the defendant.

  1. "Gene products" means gene fragments, nucleic acids or proteins derived from deoxyribonucleic acids that would be a reflection of or indicate DNA sequence information.

  2. "Genetic condition" means a specific chromosomal or single-gene genetic condition.

  3. "Genetic test" means an analysis of an individual's DNA, gene products or chromosomes that indicates a propensity for or susceptibility to illness, disease, impairment or other disorders, whether physical or mental, or that demonstrates genetic or chromosomal damage due to environmental factors, or carrier status for a disease or disorder.

  4. "Living organ donor" means a living person who donates an organ to another living person.


A.R.S. § 20-00461

20-461 - Unfair claim settlement practices

20-461. Unfair claim settlement practices

A. A person shall not commit or perform with such a frequency to indicate as a general business practice any of the following:

  1. Misrepresenting pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to coverages at issue.

  2. Failing to acknowledge and act reasonably and promptly upon communications with respect to claims arising under an insurance policy.

  3. Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims arising under an insurance policy.

  4. Refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation based upon all available information.

  5. Failing to affirm or deny coverage of claims within a reasonable time after proof of loss statements have been completed.

  6. Not attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlements of claims in which liability has become reasonably clear.

  7. As a property or casualty insurer, failing to recognize a valid assignment of a claim. The property or casualty insurer shall have the rights consistent with the provisions of its insurance policy to receive notice of loss or claim and to all defenses it may have to the loss or claim, but not otherwise to restrict an assignment of a loss or claim after a loss has occurred.

  8. Compelling insureds to institute litigation to recover amounts due under an insurance policy by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered in actions brought by the insureds.

  9. Attempting to settle a claim for less than the amount to which a reasonable person would have believed he was entitled by reference to written or printed advertising material accompanying or made part of an application.

  10. Attempting to settle claims on the basis of an application which was altered without notice to, or knowledge or consent of, the insured.

  11. Making claims payments to insureds or beneficiaries not accompanied by a statement setting forth the coverage under which the payments are being made.

  12. Making known to insureds or claimants a policy of appealing from arbitration awards in favor of insureds or claimants for the purpose of compelling them to accept settlements or compromises less than the amount awarded in arbitration.

  13. Delaying the investigation or payment of claims by requiring an insured, a claimant or the physician of either to submit a preliminary claim report and then requiring the subsequent submission of formal proof of loss forms, both of which submissions contain substantially the same information.

  14. Failing to promptly settle claims if liability has become reasonably clear under one portion of the insurance policy coverage in order to influence settlements under other portions of the insurance policy coverage.

  15. Failing to promptly provide a reasonable explanation of the basis in the insurance policy relative to the facts or applicable law for denial of a claim or for the offer of a compromise settlement.

  16. Attempting to settle claims for the replacement of any nonmechanical sheet metal or plastic part which generally constitutes the exterior of a motor vehicle, including inner and outer panels, with an aftermarket crash part which is not made by or for the manufacturer of an insured's motor vehicle unless the part meets the specifications of section 44-1292 and unless the consumer is advised in a written notice attached to or printed on a repair estimate which:

(a) Clearly identifies each part.

(b) Contains the following information in ten point or larger type:

This estimate has been prepared based on the use of replacement parts supplied by a source other than the manufacturer of your motor vehicle. Warranties applicable to these replacement parts are provided by the manufacturer or distributor of these parts rather than the manufacturer of your vehicle.

  1. As an insurer subject to section 20-826, 20-1342, 20-1402 or 20-1404, or as an insurer of the same type as those subject to section 20-826, 20-1342, 20-1402 or 20-1404 that issues policies, contracts, plans, coverages or evidences of coverage for delivery in this state, failing to pay charges for reasonable and necessary services provided by any physician licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 8, 13 or 17, if the services are within the lawful scope of practice of the physician and the insurance coverage includes diagnosis and treatment of the condition or complaint, regardless of the nomenclature used to describe the condition, complaint or service.

  2. Failing to comply with chapter 15 of this title.

  3. Denying liability for a claim under a motor vehicle liability policy in effect at the time of an accident without having substantial facts based on reasonable investigation to justify the denial for damages or injuries that are a result of the accident and that were caused by the insured if the denial is based solely on a medical condition that could affect the insured's driving ability.

B. Nothing in subsection A, paragraph 17 of this section shall be construed to prohibit the application of deductibles, coinsurance, preferred provider organization requirements, cost containment measures or quality assurance measures if they are equally applied to all types of physicians referred to in this section, and if any limitation or condition placed upon payment to or upon services, diagnosis or treatment by any physician covered by this section is equally applied to all physicians referred to in subsection A, paragraph 16 of this section, without discrimination to the usual and customary procedures of any type of physician. A determination under this section of discrimination to the usual and customary procedures of any type of physician shall not be based on whether an insurer applies medical necessity review to a particular type of service or treatment.

C. In prescribing rules to implement this section, the director shall follow, to the extent appropriate, the national association of insurance commissioners unfair claims settlement practices model regulation.

D. Nothing contained in this section is intended to provide any private right or cause of action to or on behalf of any insured or uninsured resident or nonresident of this state. It is, however, the specific intent of this section to provide solely an administrative remedy to the director for any violation of this section or rule related to this section.

E. The director shall deposit, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, all civil penalties collected pursuant to this article in the state general fund.


A.R.S. § 20-00462

20-462 - Timely payment of claims

20-462. Timely payment of claims

A. From and after July 15, 1986 any first party claim not paid within thirty days after the receipt of an acceptable proof of loss by the insurer which contains all information necessary for claim adjudication shall be required to pay interest at the legal rate from the date the claim is received by the insurer. The interest shall be calculated on the amount the insurer is legally obligated to pay according to the terms of the insurance contract under which the claim is being submitted.

B. For purposes of determining whether the claim has been paid within thirty days, the date of payment shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee on the date shown by the postmark or other official mark of the United States mail stamped on the payment envelope. If the receipt disputes the date where there is no mark or the mark is not legible, the sender may establish the mailing or transfer date by competent evidence.

C. This section shall not apply to:

  1. Claims submitted for payment under medicare, title XVIII of the social security act (42 United States Code section 1301).

  2. Claims submitted under a medicare supplement contract where, according to the terms of the supplement contract, claims will be based upon the amount paid by medicare.

  3. The payment of a claim shall not be overdue during any period in which the insurer is unable to pay such claim because there is no recipient who is legally able to give a valid release for such payment, or in which the insurer is unable to determine who is entitled to receive such payment, if the insurer has promptly notified the claimant of such inability and has offered in good faith to promptly pay said claim upon determination of who is entitled to receive such payment.

  4. Claims submitted to a person who is the processing agent for a foreign insurer or other person providing an insurance program for retirees residing in Arizona.

  5. Claims denied in good faith within thirty days after receipt of acceptable proofs of loss.

D. This section shall apply only to claims that are to be paid by the insurer directly to the insured, to a beneficiary named in the contract, or to a provider who has been assigned the right to receive benefits under the contract by the insured.


A.R.S. § 20-00463

20-463 - Fraud; injunction; penalties; restitution; definitions

20-463. Fraud; injunction; penalties; restitution; definitions

A. It is a fraudulent practice and unlawful for a person to knowingly:

  1. Present, cause to be presented or prepare with the knowledge or belief that it will be presented an oral or written statement, including computer generated documents, to or by an insurer, reinsurer, purported insurer or reinsurer, insurance producer or agent of a reinsurer that contains untrue statements of material fact or that fails to state any material fact with respect to any of the following:

(a) An application for the issuance or renewal of an insurance policy.

(b) The rating of an insurance policy.

(c) A claim for payment or benefit pursuant to an insurance policy.

(d) Premiums paid on any insurance policy.

(e) Payments made pursuant to the terms of any insurance policy.

(f) An application for a certificate of authority.

(g) The financial condition of an insurer, reinsurer or purported insurer or reinsurer.

(h) The acquisition of an insurer or reinsurer or the concealing of any information concerning any fact material to the acquisition.

  1. Solicit or accept new or renewal insurance risks by or for any insolvent insurer, reinsurer or other entity licensed to transact insurance business in this state.

  2. Conceal or attempt to conceal from the department or remove or attempt to remove from the home office, place of safekeeping or other place of business of any insurer, reinsurer or other entity licensed to transact insurance business in this state part or all of the assets or records of the assets, transactions and affairs.

  3. Divert or attempt or conspire to divert the monies of an insurer, reinsurer, entity licensed to transact insurance business in this state or other person in connection with:

(a) The transaction of insurance or reinsurance.

(b) The conduct of business activities by any insurer, reinsurer or other entity licensed to transact insurance business in this state.

(c) The formation, acquisition or dissolution of any insurer, reinsurer or other entity licensed to transact insurance business in this state.

  1. Assist, abet, solicit or conspire with another person to violate paragraph 1 of this subsection.

  2. Employ, use or act as a runner, capper or steerer for the purposes of violating paragraph 1 of this subsection.

B. A person who acts without malice, fraudulent intent or bad faith is not subject to liability for filing reports or furnishing orally or in writing other information concerning suspected, anticipated or completed fraudulent insurance acts if the reports or information is provided to or received from:

  1. The director or the department.

  2. Law enforcement officials and their agents and employees.

  3. The national association of insurance commissioners, other state insurance departments, a federal or state agency or bureau established to detect and prevent fraudulent insurance acts, and the agency's or bureau's agents, employees or designees, or an organization established by insurers to assist in the detection and prevention of fraudulent insurance acts, and the organization's agents, employees or designees.

C. A person, or an officer, employee or agent of the person acting within the scope of employment or agency of that officer, employee or agent, identified under subsection B, paragraph 1, 2 or 3 when performing authorized activities without malice, fraudulent intent or bad faith is not subject to civil liability for libel, slander or another relevant tort. No civil cause of action may be brought against the person or entity.

D. A person or entity under subsection B or C is entitled to an award of attorney fees and costs if the person or entity is a prevailing party in a civil cause of action for libel, slander or other relevant tort and the action is not substantially justified. For purposes of this subsection, "substantially justified" means a proceeding that has a reasonable basis in law or fact at the time that it is initiated.

E. Nothing in this section limits any common law right of the person or entity.

F. Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit contact or communication with clients or patients for any lawful purpose, including communication by and between insurers, the insurers' policyholders and claimants under policies issued to the insurers' policyholders regarding the investigation or settlement of any claim.

G. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Runner", "capper" or "steerer" means a person who procures clients at the direction of, or in cooperation with, a person who intends to perform or obtain services or benefits under a contract of insurance or who intends to assert a claim against an insured.

  2. "Statement" includes any notice, proof of injury, bill for services, payment for services, hospital or doctor records, x-rays, test reports, medical or legal expenses, or other evidence of loss or injury, or other expense or payment.


A.R.S. § 20-00628

20-628 - Proof of claims; notice; hearing

20-628. Proof of claims; notice; hearing

A. All claims against an insurer against which delinquency proceedings have been begun shall set forth in reasonable detail the amount of the claim, or the basis upon which such amount can be ascertained, the facts upon which the claim is based and the priorities asserted, if any. All such claims shall be verified by the affidavit of the claimant, or someone authorized to act on his behalf and having knowledge of the facts, and shall be supported by such documents as may be material thereto.

B. All claims filed in this state shall be filed with the receiver, whether domiciliary or ancillary, in this state, on or before the last date for filing as specified in this article.

C. Within ninety days after the claims bar date, or within such further period as the court may, for good cause shown, fix, the receiver shall report the claim to the court, specifying in the report his recommendation with respect to the action to be taken thereon. Upon receipt of the report, the court shall fix a time for hearing the claim and shall direct that the claimant or the receiver, as the court specifies, shall give such notice as the court determines to such persons as appear to the court to be interested therein. All such notices shall specify the time and place of the hearing and shall concisely state the amount and nature of the claim, the priorities asserted, if any, and the recommendation of the receiver with reference thereto.

D. At the hearing, all persons interested shall be entitled to appear and the court shall enter an order allowing, allowing in part or disallowing the claim. Any such order shall be deemed to be an appealable order.


A.R.S. § 20-00629

20-629 - Priority of distribution; definition

20-629. Priority of distribution; definition

A. In a delinquency proceeding against an insurer domiciled in this state, the priority of distribution of claims from the general assets of the insurer shall be determined pursuant to this section. Every claim in each class shall be paid in full or adequate funds shall be reserved for the payment before the members of the next class may receive any payment. Subclasses may not be established within any class. The order of distribution is as follows:

  1. The costs and expenses of administration incurred in connection with the delinquency proceedings.

  2. Claims of the Arizona property and casualty insurance guaranty fund established pursuant to section 20-662 and the life and disability insurance guaranty fund established pursuant to section 20-683 or a similar organization in another state to the extent the organization provides substantially similar protection with respect to the same kinds of insurance, including claims for unallocated loss adjustment expenses and general administrative costs and expenses.

  3. Claims under insurance policies and contracts and guaranteed investment contracts except reinsurance, including claims under nonassessable policies for unearned premiums, claims under annuity contracts, third-party claims against insureds who are covered under liability insurance policies and, in a delinquency proceeding of a health care services organization that is domiciled in this state, claims of enrollees and enrollees' beneficiaries and any claim of a provider for services that are provided pursuant to and covered by a health care plan.

  4. Claims of the federal government, except those claims under paragraph 3 of this subsection and claims that are treated as secured claims.

  5. Claims for compensation actually owing to employees of the insurer, other than its officers, for services rendered to the insurer. This priority is in lieu of any other similar priority authorized by law as to wages or compensation of employees.

  6. Claims of any state or local government, except those claims under paragraph 3 of this subsection and claims that are treated as secured claims.

  7. Claims of other general creditors that do not fall within any other priority under this section.

  8. Claims that are filed after the date specified for filing proofs of claim pursuant to section 20-640.

  9. Claims of surplus note or certificate of contribution holders or other similar obligations and for premium refunds on assessable policies.

  10. Claims of shareholders, members or other owners in that capacity.

B. In a delinquency proceeding against an insurer domiciled in this state, the priority of claims against the general assets of the insurer shall be determined pursuant to this section regardless of where the claimant resides or where the assets are located.

C. In a delinquency proceeding against an insurer domiciled in a reciprocal state, claims owing to residents of this state shall be preferred if like claims are preferred by the laws of that state.

D. The owners of special deposit claims against an insurer for which a receiver is appointed in this or any other state shall be given priority against their several special deposits, including without limitation assets comprising the applicable separate account, in accordance with the provisions of the statutes governing the creation and maintenance of such deposits. If there is a deficiency in any such deposit so that the claims secured are not fully discharged, the claimants may share in the general assets, but such sharing shall be deferred until general creditors, all other persons who are entitled to priority under subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section, and also claimants against other special deposits who have received smaller percentages from their respective special deposits have been paid percentages of their claims equal to the percentage paid from the special deposit, subject to the applicable terms of any variable life contract, variable annuity contract or guaranteed investment contract that is supported by a separate account to the extent it is guaranteed by the general account. This subsection shall not be applied in a manner that would reduce the value of any general account guaranty.

E. The owner of a secured claim against an insurer for which a receiver has been appointed in this or any other state may surrender the owner's security and file the owner's claim as a general creditor, or the claim may be discharged by resort to the security, in which case the deficiency, if any, shall be treated as a claim against the general assets of the insurer on the same basis as claims of unsecured creditors. If the amount of the deficiency has been adjudicated in ancillary proceedings as provided in this article or if it has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction in proceedings in which the domiciliary receiver has had notice and opportunity to be heard, such amounts shall be conclusive. Â Otherwise the amount shall be determined in the delinquency proceeding in the domiciliary state.

F. For the purposes of this section, "health care plan" has the same meaning prescribed in section 20-1051.


A.R.S. § 20-00639

20-639 - Allowance of certain claims

20-639. Allowance of certain claims

A. No contingent claim shall share in a distribution of the assets of an insurer which has been adjudicated to be insolvent by an order made pursuant to this article, except that such claim shall be considered, if properly presented, and may be allowed to share where either:

  1. Such claim becomes absolute against the insurer on or before the last day for filing proof of claims against the assets of such insurer.

  2. There is a surplus and the liquidation is thereafter conducted upon the basis that such insurer is solvent.

B. Where an insurer has been so adjudicated to be insolvent any person who has a cause of action against an insured of such insurer under a liability insurance policy issued by such insurer shall have the right to file a claim in the liquidation proceeding, regardless of the fact that the claim may be contingent, and the claim may be allowed if all of the following requirements are met:

  1. If it may be reasonably inferred from the proof presented upon the claim that the person would be able to obtain a judgment upon the cause of action against the insured.

  2. If the person furnishes suitable proof, unless the court for good cause shown otherwise directs, that no further valid claim against the insurer arising out of his cause of action other than those already presented can be made.

  3. If the total liability of the insurer to all claimants arising out of the same act of its insured shall be no greater than its maximum liability would be were it not in liquidation.

C. No judgment against such an insured taken after the date of entry of the liquidation order shall be considered in the liquidation proceedings as evidence of liability, or of the amount of damages, and no judgment against an insured taken by default or by collusion prior to the entry of the liquidation order shall be considered as conclusive evidence in the liquidation proceedings, either of the liability of the insured to such person upon the cause of action or of the amount of damages to which the person is therein entitled.

D. No claim of any secured claimant shall be allowed at a sum greater than the difference between the value of the claim without security and the value of the security itself as of the date of the entry of the order of liquidation or such other date set by the court for determining rights and liabilities as provided in section 20-635 unless the claimant surrenders the claimant's security to the receiver, in which event the claim shall be allowed in the full amount for which it is valued.


A.R.S. § 20-00649

20-649 - Extension of time

20-649. Extension of time

A. Except as provided in subsection D, if any law, rule, order or agreement fixes a period of time within which the insurer subject to a delinquency proceeding or the receiver may commence an action, and that period is enforceable and has not expired before the date of the commencement of the delinquency proceeding under this title, the receiver may commence the action before any of the following, whichever is later:

  1. The end of the period, including any suspension of the period occurring on or after commencement of the delinquency proceeding under this title.

  2. Five years after the entry of the order appointing the receiver.

  3. A date set by the court that in no event is more than eight years after the entry of the order appointing the receiver.

B. Except as provided in subsection A or D, if any law, rule, order or agreement fixes a period of time within which the insurer subject to a delinquency proceeding or the receiver may file any pleading, motion, demand, notice or proof of claim or loss, may cure a default or may perform any other similar act and that period is enforceable and has not expired before the commencement of the delinquency proceeding, the receiver may file, cure or perform before either of the following, whichever is later:

  1. The end of the period, including any suspension of the period occurring on or after the commencement of the delinquency proceeding under this title.

  2. One hundred twenty days after the entry of the order appointing the receiver.

C. Except as provided in subsection D, if any law, rule, order or agreement fixes a period for commencing or continuing a civil action in any court on a claim against the insurer in receivership, and that period has not expired before the date of the commencement of the delinquency proceeding, the court may extend that period to permit the filing of a claim with the receiver pursuant to this article.

D. The extension of time provided under this section does not apply to any other time period imposed by this chapter, an agreement executed by the receiver and approved by the court or an order of the court. Â


A.R.S. § 20-00665

20-665 - Plan of operation

20-665. Plan of operation

A. The board shall submit to the director a fund plan of operation and any amendments necessary or suitable to assure the fair, reasonable and equitable administration of the fund. The plan of operation and any amendments shall become effective upon approval in writing by the director.

B. If the board fails to submit a suitable plan of operation or if at any time the board fails to submit suitable amendments to the plan, the director shall adopt any plan or amendment that is necessary or advisable to effectuate the provisions of this article and the plan or amendment shall continue in force until modified by the director or superseded by a plan submitted by the board and approved by the director. All member insurers shall comply with the plan of operation.

C. The plan of operation shall:

  1. Establish the procedures for execution of all powers and duties of the board.

  2. Establish procedures for handling assets of the fund.

  3. Establish the amount and method of reimbursing members of the board pursuant to section 20-663.

  4. Establish procedures by which claims may be filed with the fund and establish acceptable forms of proof of covered claims. Notice of claims to the receiver, conservator or liquidator of the insolvent insurer shall be deemed notice to the fund or its agents and a list of such claims shall be periodically submitted to the fund or similar organization in another state by the receiver or liquidator.

  5. Establish regular places and times for meetings of the board.

  6. Establish procedures for records to be kept of all financial transactions of the fund, the board and its agents.

  7. Provide that any member insurer aggrieved by any final action or decision of the fund may appeal to the director within thirty days after the action or decision.

  8. Establish the procedures for recommendations to the director for selections to the board.

  9. Contain additional provisions that are necessary or proper for the execution of the powers and duties of the board.

D. In regard to the prevention and detection of insolvencies the board shall:

  1. Notify the director of any information indicating that any member insurer may be insolvent or in a financial condition that is hazardous to the policyholders or to the public.

  2. Notify the director of any information indicating that a member insurer may be unable to fulfill its contractual obligations and request a meeting with the director.

  3. Upon request of the director, attend hearings before the director and meet with and advise the director or the receiver, conservator or liquidator appointed by the director on matters relating to the affairs of an insolvent insurer and relating to action which may be taken by the director, receiver, conservator or liquidator to best protect the interests of persons holding covered claims against the insolvent insurer and relating to the amount and timing of partial assessments and the marshalling of assets and the processing and handling of covered claims.

  4. At the conclusion of any insurer insolvency in which the fund was obligated to pay covered claims, prepare a report on the history and causes of such insolvency, based on the information available to the board and submit such report to the director.

E. In regard to the prevention and detection of insolvencies the board may, on majority vote:

  1. Request that the director make available to the board any information in the director's possession relative to the financial condition of any member insurer, including the power to pursue officially any operational records or activity of the member insurer wherever deemed necessary.

  2. Request that the director order an examination of any member insurer which the board in good faith believes may be in a financial condition hazardous to the policyholders or to the public.

  3. Make recommendations and reports to the director upon any matter germane to the solvency, liquidation, rehabilitation or conservation of any member insurer. Such reports and recommendations shall not be considered public documents.

  4. Make recommendations to the director for the detection and prevention of insurer insolvencies.

F. The plan of operation may provide that any or all powers and duties of the board, except those pursuant to section 20-664, subsection A, paragraphs 3 and 4 and subsection B, are delegated to a corporation, association or other organization which performs or will perform functions similar to those of this fund, or its equivalent, in two or more states. Such a corporation, association or organization shall be reimbursed as a servicing facility and shall be paid for its performance of any other function of the fund. A delegation pursuant to this subsection shall take effect only with the approval of both the board and the director and may be made only to a corporation, association or organization which extends protection not substantially less favorable and effective than that provided by this article.


A.R.S. § 20-00826

20-826 - Subscription contracts; definitions

20-826. Subscription contracts; definitions

A. A contract between a corporation and its subscribers shall not be issued unless the form of such contract is approved in writing by the director.

B. Each contract shall plainly state the services to which the subscriber is entitled and those to which the subscriber is not entitled under the plan, and shall constitute a direct obligation of the providers of services with which the corporation has contracted for hospital, medical, dental or optometric services.

C. Each contract, except for dental services or optometric services, shall be so written that the corporation shall pay benefits for each of the following:

  1. Performance of any surgical service that is covered by the terms of such contract, regardless of the place of service.

  2. Any home health services that are performed by a licensed home health agency and that a physician has prescribed in lieu of hospital services, as defined by the director, providing the hospital services would have been covered.

  3. Any diagnostic service that a physician has performed outside a hospital in lieu of inpatient service, providing the inpatient service would have been covered.

  4. Any service performed in a hospital's outpatient department or in a freestanding surgical facility, if such service would have been covered if performed as an inpatient service.

D. Each contract for dental or optometric services shall be so written that the corporation shall pay benefits for contracted dental or optometric services provided by dentists or optometrists.

E. Any contract, except accidental death and dismemberment, applied for that provides family coverage, as to such coverage of family members, shall also provide that the benefits applicable for children shall be payable with respect to a newly born child of the insured from the instant of such child's birth, to a child adopted by the insured, regardless of the age at which the child was adopted, and to a child who has been placed for adoption with the insured and for whom the application and approval procedures for adoption pursuant to section 8-105 or 8-108 have been completed to the same extent that such coverage applies to other members of the family. The coverage for newly born or adopted children or children placed for adoption shall include coverage of injury or sickness, including necessary care and treatment of medically diagnosed congenital defects and birth abnormalities. If payment of a specific premium is required to provide coverage for a child, the contract may require that notification of birth, adoption or adoption placement of the child and payment of the required premium must be furnished to the insurer within thirty-one days after the date of birth, adoption or adoption placement in order to have the coverage continue beyond the thirty-one day period.

F. Each contract that is delivered or issued for delivery in this state after December 25, 1977 and that provides that coverage of a dependent child shall terminate on attainment of the limiting age for dependent children specified in the contract shall also provide in substance that attainment of such limiting age shall not operate to terminate the coverage of such child while the child is and continues to be both incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of intellectual disability or physical disability and chiefly dependent on the subscriber for support and maintenance. Proof of such incapacity and dependency shall be furnished to the corporation by the subscriber within thirty-one days of the child's attainment of the limiting age and subsequently as may be required by the corporation, but not more frequently than annually after the two-year period following the child's attainment of the limiting age.

G. A corporation may not cancel or refuse to renew any subscriber's contract without giving notice of such cancellation or nonrenewal to the subscriber under such contract. A notice by the corporation to the subscriber of cancellation or nonrenewal of a subscription contract shall be mailed to the named subscriber at least forty-five days before the effective date of such cancellation or nonrenewal. The notice shall include or be accompanied by a statement in writing of the reasons for such action by the corporation. Failure of the corporation to comply with this subsection shall invalidate any cancellation or nonrenewal except a cancellation or nonrenewal for nonpayment of premium.

H. A contract that provides coverage for surgical services for a mastectomy shall also provide coverage incidental to the patient's covered mastectomy for surgical services for reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed, surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance, prostheses, treatment of physical complications for all stages of the mastectomy, including lymphedemas, and at least two external postoperative prostheses subject to all of the terms and conditions of the policy.

I. A contract that provides coverage for surgical services for a mastectomy shall also provide coverage for preventive mammography screening and diagnostic imaging performed on dedicated equipment for diagnostic purposes on referral by a patient's physician, subject to all of the terms and conditions of the policy, including:

  1. A mammogram.

  2. Digital breast tomosynthesis, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or other modality and at such age and intervals as recommended by the national comprehensive cancer network. This includes patients at risk for breast cancer who have a family history with one or more first or second degree relatives with breast cancer, prior diagnosis of breast cancer, positive testing for hereditary gene mutations or heterogeneously or dense breast tissue based on the breast imaging reporting and data system of the American college of radiology.

J. Any contract that is issued to the insured and that provides coverage for maternity benefits shall also provide that the maternity benefits apply to the costs of the birth of any child legally adopted by the insured if all of the following are true:

  1. The child is adopted within one year of birth.

  2. The insured is legally obligated to pay the costs of birth.

  3. All preexisting conditions and other limitations have been met by the insured.

  4. The insured has notified the insurer of the insured's acceptability to adopt children pursuant to section 8-105, within sixty days after such approval or within sixty days after a change in insurance policies, plans or companies.

K. The coverage prescribed by subsection J of this section is excess to any other coverage the natural mother may have for maternity benefits except coverage made available to persons pursuant to title 36, chapter 29. If such other coverage exists, the agency, attorney or individual arranging the adoption shall make arrangements for the insurance to pay those costs that may be covered under that policy and shall advise the adopting parent in writing of the existence and extent of the coverage without disclosing any confidential information such as the identity of the natural parent. The insured adopting parents shall notify their insurer of the existence and extent of the other coverage.

L. The director may disapprove any contract if the benefits provided in the form of such contract are unreasonable in relation to the premium charged.

M. The director shall adopt emergency rules applicable to persons who are leaving active service in the armed forces of the United States and returning to civilian status including:

  1. Conditions of eligibility.

  2. Coverage of dependents.

  3. Preexisting conditions.

  4. Termination of insurance.

  5. Probationary periods.

  6. Limitations.

  7. Exceptions.

  8. Reductions.

  9. Elimination periods.

  10. Requirements for replacement.

  11. Any other condition of subscription contracts.

N. Any contract that provides maternity benefits shall not restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or the newborn child to less than forty-eight hours following a normal vaginal delivery or ninety-six hours following a cesarean section. The contract shall not require the provider to obtain authorization from the corporation for prescribing the minimum length of stay required by this subsection. The contract may provide that an attending provider in consultation with the mother may discharge the mother or the newborn child before the expiration of the minimum length of stay required by this subsection. The corporation shall not:

  1. Deny the mother or the newborn child eligibility or continued eligibility to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the contract solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this subsection.

  2. Provide monetary payments or rebates to mothers to encourage those mothers to accept less than the minimum protections available pursuant to this subsection.

  3. Penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of an attending provider because that provider provided care to any insured under the contract in accordance with this subsection.

  4. Provide monetary or other incentives to an attending provider to induce that provider to provide care to an insured under the contract in a manner that is inconsistent with this subsection.

  5. Except as described in subsection O of this section, restrict benefits for any portion of a period within the minimum length of stay in a manner that is less favorable than the benefits provided for any preceding portion of that stay.

O. Subsection N of this section does not:

  1. Require a mother to give birth in a hospital or to stay in the hospital for a fixed period of time following the birth of the child.

  2. Prevent a corporation from imposing deductibles, coinsurance or other cost sharing in relation to benefits for hospital lengths of stay in connection with childbirth for a mother or a newborn child under the contract, except that any coinsurance or other cost sharing for any portion of a period within a hospital length of stay required pursuant to subsection N of this section shall not be greater than the coinsurance or cost sharing for any preceding portion of that stay.

  3. Prevent a corporation from negotiating the level and type of reimbursement with a provider for care provided in accordance with subsection N of this section.

P. Any contract that provides coverage for diabetes shall also provide coverage for equipment and supplies that are medically necessary and that are prescribed by a health care provider, including:

  1. Blood glucose monitors.

  2. Blood glucose monitors for the legally blind.

  3. Test strips for glucose monitors and visual reading and urine testing strips.

  4. Insulin preparations and glucagon.

  5. Insulin cartridges.

  6. Drawing up devices and monitors for the visually impaired.

  7. Injection aids.

  8. Insulin cartridges for the legally blind.

  9. Syringes and lancets, including automatic lancing devices.

  10. Prescribed oral agents for controlling blood sugar that are included on the plan formulary.

  11. To the extent coverage is required under medicare, podiatric appliances for prevention of complications associated with diabetes.

  12. Any other device, medication, equipment or supply for which coverage is required under medicare from and after January 1, 1999. The coverage required in this paragraph is effective six months after the coverage is required under medicare.

Q. Subsection P of this section does not prohibit a medical service corporation, a hospital service corporation or a hospital, medical, dental and optometric service corporation from imposing deductibles, coinsurance or other cost sharing in relation to benefits for equipment or supplies for the treatment of diabetes.

R. Any hospital or medical service contract that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall not limit or exclude coverage for any prescription drug prescribed for the treatment of cancer on the basis that the prescription drug has not been approved by the United States food and drug administration for the treatment of the specific type of cancer for which the prescription drug has been prescribed, if the prescription drug has been recognized as safe and effective for treatment of that specific type of cancer in one or more of the standard medical reference compendia prescribed in subsection S of this section or medical literature that meets the criteria prescribed in subsection S of this section. The coverage required under this subsection includes covered medically necessary services associated with the administration of the prescription drug. This subsection does not:

  1. Require coverage of any prescription drug used in the treatment of a type of cancer if the United States food and drug administration has determined that the prescription drug is contraindicated for that type of cancer.

  2. Require coverage for any experimental prescription drug that is not approved for any indication by the United States food and drug administration.

  3. Alter any law with regard to provisions that limit the coverage of prescription drugs that have not been approved by the United States food and drug administration.

  4. Notwithstanding section 20-841.05, require reimbursement or coverage for any prescription drug that is not included in the drug formulary or list of covered prescription drugs specified in the contract.

  5. Notwithstanding section 20-841.05, prohibit a contract from limiting or excluding coverage of a prescription drug, if the decision to limit or exclude coverage of the prescription drug is not based primarily on the coverage of prescription drugs required by this section.

  6. Prohibit the use of deductibles, coinsurance, copayments or other cost sharing in relation to drug benefits and related medical benefits offered.

S. For the purposes of subsection R of this section:

  1. The acceptable standard medical reference compendia are the following:

(a) The American hospital formulary service drug information, a publication of the American society of health system pharmacists.

(b) The national comprehensive cancer network drugs and biologics compendium.

(c) Thomson Micromedex compendium DrugDex.

(d) Elsevier gold standard's clinical pharmacology compendium.

(e) Other authoritative compendia as identified by the secretary of the United States department of health and human services.

  1. Medical literature may be accepted if all of the following apply:

(a) At least two articles from major peer reviewed professional medical journals have recognized, based on scientific or medical criteria, the drug's safety and effectiveness for treatment of the indication for which the drug has been prescribed.

(b) No article from a major peer reviewed professional medical journal has concluded, based on scientific or medical criteria, that the drug is unsafe or ineffective or that the drug's safety and effectiveness cannot be determined for the treatment of the indication for which the drug has been prescribed.

(c) The literature meets the uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals established by the international committee of medical journal editors or is published in a journal specified by the United States department of health and human services as acceptable peer reviewed medical literature pursuant to section 186(t)(2)(B) of the social security act (42 United States Code section 1395x(t)(2)(B)).

T. A corporation shall not issue or deliver any advertising matter or sales material to any person in this state until the corporation files the advertising matter or sales material with the director. This subsection does not require a corporation to have the prior approval of the director to issue or deliver the advertising matter or sales material. If the director finds that the advertising matter or sales material, in whole or in part, is false, deceptive or misleading, the director may issue an order disapproving the advertising matter or sales material, directing the corporation to cease and desist from issuing, circulating, displaying or using the advertising matter or sales material within a period of time specified by the director but not less than ten days and imposing any penalties prescribed in this title. At least five days before issuing an order pursuant to this subsection, the director shall provide the corporation with a written notice of the basis of the order to provide the corporation with an opportunity to cure the alleged deficiency in the advertising matter or sales material within a single five-day period for the particular advertising matter or sales material at issue. The corporation may appeal the director's order pursuant to title 41, chapter 6, article 10. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a corporation may obtain a stay of the effectiveness of the order as prescribed in section 20-162. If the director certifies in the order and provides a detailed explanation of the reasons in support of the certification that continued use of the advertising matter or sales material poses a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the public, the order may be entered immediately without opportunity for cure and the effectiveness of the order is not stayed pending the hearing on the notice of appeal but the hearing shall be promptly instituted and determined.

U. Any contract that is offered by a hospital service corporation or medical service corporation and that contains a prescription drug benefit shall provide coverage of medical foods to treat inherited metabolic disorders as provided by this section.

V. The metabolic disorders triggering medical foods coverage under this section shall:

  1. Be part of the newborn screening program prescribed in section 36-694.

  2. Involve amino acid, carbohydrate or fat metabolism.

  3. Have medically standard methods of diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, including quantification of metabolites in blood, urine or spinal fluid or enzyme or DNA confirmation in tissues.

  4. Require specially processed or treated medical foods that are generally available only under the supervision and direction of a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 or a registered nurse practitioner who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15, that must be consumed throughout life and without which the person may suffer serious mental or physical impairment.

W. Medical foods eligible for coverage under this section shall be prescribed or ordered under the supervision of a physician licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 as medically necessary for the therapeutic treatment of an inherited metabolic disease.

X. A hospital service corporation or medical service corporation shall cover at least fifty percent of the cost of medical foods prescribed to treat inherited metabolic disorders and covered pursuant to this section. A hospital service corporation or medical service corporation may limit the maximum annual benefit for medical foods under this section to $5,000, which applies to the cost of all prescribed modified low protein foods and metabolic formula.

Y. Any contract between a corporation and its subscribers is subject to the following:

  1. If the contract provides coverage for prescription drugs, the contract shall provide coverage for any prescribed drug or device that is approved by the United States food and drug administration for use as a contraceptive. A corporation may use a drug formulary, multitiered drug formulary or list but that formulary or list shall include oral, implant and injectable contraceptive drugs, intrauterine devices and prescription barrier methods. The corporation may not impose deductibles, coinsurance, copayments or other cost containment measures for contraceptive drugs that are greater than the deductibles, coinsurance, copayments or other cost containment measures for other drugs on the same level of the formulary or list.

  2. If the contract provides coverage for outpatient health care services, the contract shall provide coverage for outpatient contraceptive services. For the purposes of this paragraph, "outpatient contraceptive services" means consultations, examinations, procedures and medical services provided on an outpatient basis and related to the use of approved United States food and drug administration prescription contraceptive methods to prevent unintended pregnancies.

  3. This subsection does not apply to contracts issued to individuals on a nongroup basis.

Z. Notwithstanding subsection Y of this section, a religiously affiliated employer may require that the corporation provide a contract without coverage for specific items or services required under subsection Y of this section because providing or paying for coverage of the specific items or services is contrary to the religious beliefs of the religiously affiliated employer offering the plan. If a religiously affiliated employer objects to providing coverage for specific items or services required under subsection Y of this section, a written affidavit shall be filed with the corporation stating the objection. On receipt of the affidavit, the corporation shall issue to the religiously affiliated employer a contract that excludes coverage for specific items or services required under subsection Y of this section. The corporation shall retain the affidavit for the duration of the contract and any renewals of the contract. This subsection shall not exclude coverage for prescription contraceptive methods ordered by a health care provider with prescriptive authority for medical indications other than for contraceptive, abortifacient, abortion or sterilization purposes. A religiously affiliated employer offering the plan may state religious beliefs in its affidavit and may require the subscriber to first pay for the prescription and then submit a claim to the hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or hospital, medical, dental and optometric service corporation along with evidence that the prescription is not for a purpose covered by the objection. A hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or hospital, medical, dental and optometric service corporation may charge an administrative fee for handling these claims.

AA. Subsection Z of this section does not authorize a religiously affiliated employer to obtain an employee's protected health information or to violate the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191; 110 Stat. 1936) or any federal regulations adopted pursuant to that act.

BB. Subsection Z of this section does not restrict or limit any protections against employment discrimination that are prescribed in federal or state law.

CC. For the purposes of:

  1. This section:

(a) "Inherited metabolic disorder" means a disease caused by an inherited abnormality of body chemistry and includes a disease tested under the newborn screening program prescribed in section 36-694.

(b) "Medical foods" means modified low protein foods and metabolic formula.

(c) "Metabolic formula" means foods that are all of the following:

(i) Formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17.

(ii) Processed or formulated to be deficient in one or more of the nutrients present in typical foodstuffs.

(iii) Administered for the medical and nutritional management of a person who has limited capacity to metabolize foodstuffs or certain nutrients contained in the foodstuffs or who has other specific nutrient requirements as established by medical evaluation.

(iv) Essential to a person's optimal growth, health and metabolic homeostasis.

(d) "Modified low protein foods" means foods that are all of the following:

(i) Formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17.

(ii) Processed or formulated to contain less than one gram of protein per unit of serving, but does not include a natural food that is naturally low in protein.

(iii) Administered for the medical and nutritional management of a person who has limited capacity to metabolize foodstuffs or certain nutrients contained in the foodstuffs or who has other specific nutrient requirements as established by medical evaluation.

(iv) Essential to a person's optimal growth, health and metabolic homeostasis.

  1. Subsection E of this section, "child", for purposes of initial coverage of an adopted child or a child placed for adoption but not for purposes of termination of coverage of such child, means a person who is under eighteen years of age.

  2. Subsections Z and AA of this section, "religiously affiliated employer" means either:

(a) An entity for which all of the following apply:

(i) The entity primarily employs persons who share the religious tenets of the entity.

(ii) The entity primarily serves persons who share the religious tenets of the entity.

(iii) The entity is a nonprofit organization as described in section 6033(a)(3)(A)(i) or (iii) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended.

(b) An entity whose articles of incorporation clearly state that it is a religiously motivated organization and whose religious beliefs are central to the organization's operating principles.


A.R.S. § 20-00843

20-843 - Eligibility; prohibiting cancellation because of eligibility for certain benefits

20-843. Eligibility; prohibiting cancellation because of eligibility for certain benefits

A. Except as specifically provided in sections 20-1379 and 20-1380, with respect to the determination of whether a person is an eligible individual, a hospital and medical service corporation shall not consider the availability of or a person's eligibility for medical assistance pursuant to title XIX of the social security act (P.L. 89-97; 79 Stat. 344; 42 United States Code section 1396a (1980)) when considering eligibility for coverage or calculating payments under a plan for eligible subscribers.

B. To the extent that payment for covered expenses has been made under the state program pursuant to title XIX of the social security act for health care items or services that are furnished to an individual, the state is considered to have acquired the rights of the individual to payment by any other party for those health care items or services. On presentation of proof that the state program pursuant to title XIX of the social security act has paid for covered items or services, the hospital and medical service corporation shall pay the state program pursuant to title XIX of the social security act according to the coverage provided in the contract.

C. A hospital and medical service corporation may not impose on a state agency that has been assigned the rights of an individual who is eligible for medical assistance and who is covered for health benefits from the insurer any requirements that are different from the requirements applicable to an agent or assignee of any other covered individual.

D. A hospital or medical service corporation shall not cancel or fail to renew the contract of any person based on that person's eligibility for or enrollment in a program funded under title XIX of the social security act or title 36, chapter 29 or 34. Nothing in this section prohibits cancellation or failure to renew for nonpayment of monies due under the contract.


A.R.S. § 20-00893

20-893 - Exemption of societies and associations and orders from insurance laws

20-893. Exemption of societies and associations and orders from insurance laws

A. The following fraternal benefit societies and associations or orders are exempt from compliance with this article and all other insurance laws of this state:

  1. Fraternal benefit societies that were doing business in this state on January 1, 1955 and that provide benefits exclusively through local or subordinate lodges.

  2. Fraternal benefit societies that admit to membership only those persons who are engaged in one or more crafts or hazardous occupations, in the same or similar lines of business, and that insure only their own members, their families, the descendants of members and the ladies' auxiliaries to those societies.

  3. Any association or order, with respect to the sale of life insurance and annuities, only if any policy or contract issued pursuant to the exemption prescribed in this subsection contains a conspicuously stamped or written notice in bold type that states:

This policy is issued by an association or order that does not possess a certificate of authority from the director of the Arizona department of insurance and financial institutions. If the association or order that issued this policy becomes insolvent, members or claimants will not be eligible for insurance guaranty fund protection pursuant to title 20, Arizona Revised Statutes.

B. Each association or order that intends on doing business in this state and that is not licensed under this title shall provide proof satisfactory to the department that it is a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c) of the internal revenue code and is subject to the following:

  1. On or before June 1 of each preceding year, each association and order shall file with the director a true and complete statement of its statutory financial condition, transactions and affairs for the preceding calendar year, audited by an independent certified public accountant, together with an actuarial memorandum issued by a qualified actuary pursuant to section 20-696.04, and shall pay a filing fee at the determination of the director. The statement and actuarial memorandum are approved thirty days after filing unless the director, within the thirty-day period, has issued an order affirmatively approving or disapproving the filing.

  2. The director may require an association or order to file financial statements on a quarterly basis and may require an association or order to file financial statements on other than an annual or quarterly basis due to factors or trends affecting insurers writing a particular class or classes of business or because of changes in the management or financial or operating condition of the association or order.

  3. If, in the opinion of the director, an association or order does not possess sufficient capital and surplus based on eligible assets pursuant to chapter 3, article 2 of this title to meet its liabilities, the director may order the association or order to increase its capital or surplus, or both, to amounts the director deems sufficient. If the association or order fails to comply with the order, the director may order the association or order to cease and desist from assuming any additional liabilities in this state until such time as the association or order is able to comply with the capital and surplus requirements.

C. Except for a society prescribed by subsection A of this section, a fraternal benefit society or association or order that is exempt from the requirements of this article pursuant to this section shall not give to or allow any person any compensation for procuring new members.

D. A society that is organized and incorporated before January 1, 1955, that provides for benefits in case of death or disability resulting solely from an accident and that does not obligate itself to pay natural death or sick benefits may secure a certificate of authority under this article if it was authorized before January 1, 1955. The society has all of the privileges and is subject to all of the provisions of this article, except that the provisions of this article relating to medical examinations, standard provisions, prohibited provisions, valuations of certificates and incontestability do not apply.

E. The director by examination or otherwise may require any information that will enable the director to determine if the society or association or order is exempt from this article.


A.R.S. § 21-00202

21-202 - Persons entitled to be excused from jury service

21-202. Persons entitled to be excused from jury service

A. It is the policy of this state that all qualified citizens have an obligation to serve on juries when summoned by the courts of this state, unless excused.

B. On timely application to the court, the following persons shall be excused temporarily from service as a juror if the judge or jury commissioner finds that any of the following applies:

  1. The prospective juror has a mental or physical condition that causes the juror to be incapable of performing jury service. The juror or the juror's personal representative shall provide to the court or jury commissioner a medical statement from a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, a physician assistant who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 25 or a registered nurse practitioner who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 that explains an existing mental or physical condition that renders the person unfit for jury service. If a prospective juror does not have a physician, a physician assistant or a registered nurse practitioner, the prospective juror or the juror's personal representative shall provide a sworn statement from a professional caregiver for the prospective juror that is deemed acceptable by the court or jury commissioner and that explains the mental or physical condition that renders the prospective juror incapable of performing jury service. For the purposes of this paragraph:

(a) The statement shall be in writing and shall contain a description and duration of any mobility restrictions, the specific symptoms that make the prospective juror mentally or physically unfit for jury service and their duration, the employment status of the prospective juror and the printed name, signature, professional license number if applicable, area of specialty and contact information of the authorizing physician, physician assistant, registered nurse practitioner or professional caregiver.

(b) A form that complies with this paragraph shall be made available at courthouses, the Arizona medical board website, the Arizona regulatory board of physician assistants website, the Arizona board of osteopathic examiners in medicine and surgery website, the Arizona state board of nursing website and other appropriate locations that are identified by the court or jury commissioner.

(c) These documents are not public records and shall not be disclosed to the general public.

  1. Jury service by the prospective juror would substantially and materially affect the public interest or welfare in an adverse manner.

  2. The prospective juror is not currently capable of understanding the English language.

  3. Jury service would cause undue or extreme physical or financial hardship to the prospective juror or a person under the prospective juror's care or supervision. For the purposes of this paragraph:

(a) A judge or jury commissioner of the court for which the person was called to jury service shall determine whether jury service would cause the prospective juror undue or extreme physical or financial hardship.

(b) A person who requests to be excused under this paragraph shall take all actions necessary to obtain a ruling on the request before the date on which the person is scheduled to appear for jury duty.

(c) Undue or extreme physical or financial hardship is limited to the following circumstances in which a person:

(i) Would be required to abandon a person under the prospective juror's care or supervision due to the impossibility of obtaining an appropriate substitute caregiver during the period of participation in the jury pool or on the jury.

(ii) Would incur costs that would have a substantial adverse impact on the payment of the person's necessary daily living expenses or on those for whom the prospective juror provides regular employment or the principal means of support.

(iii) Would suffer physical hardship that would result in illness or disease.

(d) Undue or extreme physical or financial hardship does not exist solely based on the fact that a prospective juror will be required to be absent from the prospective juror's place of employment.

(e) A person who requests to be excused under this paragraph shall provide the judge or jury commissioner with documentation that supports the request to be excused, such as federal and state income tax returns, payroll records, medical statements from physicians licensed pursuant to title 32, physician assistants licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 25 or registered nurse practitioners licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15, proof of dependency or guardianship or other similar documents. The judge or jury commissioner may excuse a person if the documentation clearly supports the request to be excused. These documents are not public records and shall not be disclosed to the general public.

  1. The prospective juror is a peace officer who is certified by the Arizona peace officer standards and training board and who is employed as a peace officer by this state or any political subdivision of this state. The employer of a peace officer shall not in any way influence the peace officer to make or not to make an application to the court, pursuant to this section, to be excused from jury service.

  2. A judge or jury commissioner of the court for which the person was called to jury service excuses the prospective juror for good cause based on a showing of undue or extreme hardship under the circumstances, including being temporarily absent from the jurisdiction or a lack of transportation.

  3. The prospective juror is summoned within four years after the prospective juror's last day of service on a grand jury in this state. Â This paragraph does not apply to a person selected as an alternate grand juror.

  4. The prospective juror is employed in the correctional officer class series by the state department of corrections.

C. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, a prospective juror who is at least seventy-five years of age may submit a written statement to the court requesting that the person be excused from service. The prospective juror may request to be excused temporarily or permanently. On receipt of the request, the judge or jury commissioner shall excuse the prospective juror from service.

D. A person who is excused temporarily pursuant to this section becomes eligible for qualification as a juror when the temporary excuse expires unless the person is permanently excused from jury service.

E. A person may be permanently excused only if the deciding judge or jury commissioner determines that the underlying grounds for being excused are permanent in nature or the person is permanently excused under subsection C of this section.

F. If the judge, jury commissioner or jury manager permanently excuses the person from jury service, the person shall be notified that the person is permanently excused.


A.R.S. § 22-00261

22-261 - Judgments that may be appealed

22-261. Judgments that may be appealed

A. Any party to a final judgment of a justice court may appeal to the superior court.

B. The party aggrieved by a judgment in any action in which the validity of a tax, impost, assessment, toll or state statute is involved may appeal to the superior court without regard to the amount in controversy.

C. Unless the court did not find that the moving party established prima facie proof as prescribed in section 12-751, subsection B, the party aggrieved by an order granting or denying a motion to dismiss or quash pursuant to section 12-751 may file an appeal to the superior court. The superior court shall expedite any appeal filed pursuant to this subsection unless the court for good cause finds that expedited review is not feasible under the circumstances or a court rule specifically provides otherwise.Â

D. An appeal shall be on the record of the proceedings if such record includes a transcript of the proceedings. De novo trials shall be granted only when the transcript of the proceedings in the superior court's evaluation is insufficient or in such a condition that the court cannot properly consider the appeal. A trial de novo shall not be granted when a party had the opportunity to request that a transcript of the lower court proceedings be made and failed to do so. At the beginning of each proceeding the judge shall advise the parties that their right to appeal is dependent on their requesting that a record be made of the justice court proceedings. Any party to an action may request that the proceedings be recorded for appeal purposes. The cost of recording trial proceedings is the responsibility of the court. The cost of preparing a transcript, if appealed, is the responsibility of the party appealing the case. The supreme court shall establish by rule the methods of recording trial proceedings for record appeals to the superior court, including electronic recording devices or manual transcription.


A.R.S. § 23-00212

23-212 - Knowingly employing unauthorized aliens; prohibition; false and frivolous complaints; violation; classification; license suspension and revocation; affirmative defense

23-212. Knowingly employing unauthorized aliens; prohibition; false and frivolous complaints; violation; classification; license suspension and revocation; affirmative defense

A. An employer shall not knowingly employ an unauthorized alien. If, in the case when an employer uses a contract, subcontract or other independent contractor agreement to obtain the labor of an alien in this state, the employer knowingly contracts with an unauthorized alien or with a person who employs or contracts with an unauthorized alien to perform the labor, the employer violates this subsection.

B. The attorney general shall prescribe a complaint form for a person to allege a violation of subsection A of this section. The complainant shall not be required to list the complainant's social security number on the complaint form or to have the complaint form notarized. On receipt of a complaint on a prescribed complaint form that an employer allegedly knowingly employs an unauthorized alien, the attorney general or county attorney shall investigate whether the employer has violated subsection A of this section. If a complaint is received but is not submitted on a prescribed complaint form, the attorney general or county attorney may investigate whether the employer has violated subsection A of this section. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the filing of anonymous complaints that are not submitted on a prescribed complaint form. The attorney general or county attorney shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or national origin. A complaint that is submitted to a county attorney shall be submitted to the county attorney in the county in which the alleged unauthorized alien is or was employed by the employer. The county sheriff or any other local law enforcement agency may assist in investigating a complaint. When investigating a complaint, the attorney general or county attorney shall verify the work authorization of the alleged unauthorized alien with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373(c). A state, county or local official shall not attempt to independently make a final determination on whether an alien is authorized to work in the United States. An alien's immigration status or work authorization status shall be verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373(c). A person who knowingly files a false and frivolous complaint under this subsection is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.

C. If, after an investigation, the attorney general or county attorney determines that the complaint is not false and frivolous:

  1. The attorney general or county attorney shall notify the United States immigration and customs enforcement of the unauthorized alien.

  2. The attorney general or county attorney shall notify the local law enforcement agency of the unauthorized alien.

  3. The attorney general shall notify the appropriate county attorney to bring an action pursuant to subsection D of this section if the complaint was originally filed with the attorney general.

D. An action for a violation of subsection A of this section shall be brought against the employer by the county attorney in the county where the unauthorized alien employee is or was employed by the employer. The county attorney shall not bring an action against any employer for any violation of subsection A of this section that occurs before January 1, 2008. A second violation of this section shall be based only on an unauthorized alien who is or was employed by the employer after an action has been brought for a violation of subsection A of this section or section 23-212.01, subsection A.

E. For any action in superior court under this section, the court shall expedite the action, including assigning the hearing at the earliest practicable date.

F. On a finding of a violation of subsection A of this section:

  1. For a first violation, as described in paragraph 3 of this subsection, the court:

(a) Shall order the employer to terminate the employment of all unauthorized aliens.

(b) Shall order the employer to be subject to a three year probationary period for the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. During the probationary period the employer shall file quarterly reports in the form provided in section 23-722.01 with the county attorney of each new employee who is hired by the employer at the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work.

(c) Shall order the employer to file a signed sworn affidavit with the county attorney within three business days after the order is issued. The affidavit shall state that the employer has terminated the employment of all unauthorized aliens in this state and that the employer will not intentionally or knowingly employ an unauthorized alien in this state. The court shall order the appropriate agencies to suspend all licenses subject to this subdivision that are held by the employer if the employer fails to file a signed sworn affidavit with the county attorney within three business days after the order is issued. All licenses that are suspended under this subdivision shall remain suspended until the employer files a signed sworn affidavit with the county attorney. Notwithstanding any other law, on filing of the affidavit the suspended licenses shall be reinstated immediately by the appropriate agencies. For the purposes of this subdivision, the licenses that are subject to suspension under this subdivision are all licenses that are held by the employer specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. If the employer does not hold a license specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work, but a license is necessary to operate the employer's business in general, the licenses that are subject to suspension under this subdivision are all licenses that are held by the employer at the employer's primary place of business. On receipt of the court's order and notwithstanding any other law, the appropriate agencies shall suspend the licenses according to the court's order. The court shall send a copy of the court's order to the attorney general and the attorney general shall maintain the copy pursuant to subsection G of this section.

(d) May order the appropriate agencies to suspend all licenses described in subdivision (c) of this paragraph that are held by the employer for not to exceed ten business days. The court shall base its decision to suspend under this subdivision on any evidence or information submitted to it during the action for a violation of this subsection and shall consider the following factors, if relevant:

(i) The number of unauthorized aliens employed by the employer.

(ii) Any prior misconduct by the employer.

(iii) The degree of harm resulting from the violation.

(iv) Whether the employer made good faith efforts to comply with any applicable requirements.

(v) The duration of the violation.

(vi) The role of the directors, officers or principals of the employer in the violation.

(vii) Any other factors the court deems appropriate.

  1. For a second violation, as described in paragraph 3 of this subsection, the court shall order the appropriate agencies to permanently revoke all licenses that are held by the employer specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. If the employer does not hold a license specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work, but a license is necessary to operate the employer's business in general, the court shall order the appropriate agencies to permanently revoke all licenses that are held by the employer at the employer's primary place of business. On receipt of the order and notwithstanding any other law, the appropriate agencies shall immediately revoke the licenses.

  2. The violation shall be considered:

(a) A first violation by an employer at a business location if the violation did not occur during a probationary period ordered by the court under this subsection or section 23-212.01, subsection F for that employer's business location.

(b) A second violation by an employer at a business location if the violation occurred during a probationary period ordered by the court under this subsection or section 23-212.01, subsection F for that employer's business location.

G. The attorney general shall maintain copies of court orders that are received pursuant to subsection F of this section and shall maintain a database of the employers and business locations that have a first violation of subsection A of this section and make the court orders available on the attorney general's website.

H. On determining whether an employee is an unauthorized alien, the court shall consider only the federal government's determination pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373(c). The federal government's determination creates a rebuttable presumption of the employee's lawful status. The court may take judicial notice of the federal government's determination and may request the federal government to provide automated or testimonial verification pursuant to 8 United States Code section 1373(c).

I. For the purposes of this section, proof of verifying the employment authorization of an employee through the e-verify program creates a rebuttable presumption that an employer did not knowingly employ an unauthorized alien.

J. For the purposes of this section, an employer that establishes that it has complied in good faith with the requirements of 8 United States Code section 1324a(b) establishes an affirmative defense that the employer did not knowingly employ an unauthorized alien. An employer is considered to have complied with the requirements of 8 United States Code section 1324a(b), notwithstanding an isolated, sporadic or accidental technical or procedural failure to meet the requirements, if there is a good faith attempt to comply with the requirements.

K. It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection A of this section that the employer was entrapped. To claim entrapment, the employer must admit by the employer's testimony or other evidence the substantial elements of the violation. An employer who asserts an entrapment defense has the burden of proving the following by a preponderance of the evidence:

  1. The idea of committing the violation started with law enforcement officers or their agents rather than with the employer.

  2. The law enforcement officers or their agents urged and induced the employer to commit the violation.

  3. The employer was not predisposed to commit the violation before the law enforcement officers or their agents urged and induced the employer to commit the violation.

L. An employer does not establish entrapment if the employer was predisposed to violate subsection A of this section and the law enforcement officers or their agents merely provided the employer with an opportunity to commit the violation. Â It is not entrapment for law enforcement officers or their agents merely to use a ruse or to conceal their identity. The conduct of law enforcement officers and their agents may be considered in determining if an employer has proven entrapment.


A.R.S. § 23-00214

23-214 - Verification of employment eligibility; everify program; economic development incentives; list of registered employers

23-214. Verification of employment eligibility; e-verify program; economic development incentives; list of registered employers

A. After December 31, 2007, every employer, after hiring an employee, shall verify the employment eligibility of the employee through the e-verify program and shall keep a record of the verification for the duration of the employee's employment or at least three years, whichever is longer.

B. In addition to any other requirement for an employer to receive an economic development incentive from a government entity, the employer shall register with and participate in the e-verify program. Before receiving the economic development incentive, the employer shall provide proof to the government entity that the employer is registered with and is participating in the e-verify program. If the government entity determines that the employer is not complying with this subsection, the government entity shall notify the employer by certified mail of the government entity's determination of noncompliance and the employer's right to appeal the determination. On a final determination of noncompliance, the employer shall repay all monies received as an economic development incentive to the government entity within thirty days of the final determination. For the purposes of this subsection:

  1. "Economic development incentive" means any grant, loan or performance-based incentive from any government entity that is awarded after September 30, 2008. Economic development incentive does not include any tax provision under title 42 or 43.

  2. "Government entity" means this state and any political subdivision of this state that receives and uses tax revenues.

C. Every three months the attorney general shall request from the United States department of homeland security a list of employers from this state that are registered with the e-verify program. On receipt of the list of employers, the attorney general shall make the list available on the attorney general's website.


A.R.S. § 23-00230

23-230 - Definitions

23-230. Definitions

In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

  1. "Automatic elevator" means a passenger or freight lift operated by push buttons so that the starting, moving, leveling, holding and opening and closing of the doors is entirely automatic.

  2. "Clay construction product" means brick, hollow structural tile, sewer pipe, refractories, architectural terra cotta, glazed structural tile, roofing tile, stove lining, chimney pipes and tops, wall coping and drain tile.

  3. "Construction" means building, altering, repairing, adding to, subtracting from, improving, moving, wrecking or demolishing a building, highway, road, railroad, excavation or other structure, project, development or improvement, including the erection and use of scaffolding or a similar structure and providing mechanical or structural service for a structure, project, development or improvement.

  4. "Elevator" means a power-driven hoisting or lowering mechanism equipped with a car or platform which moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction. Elevator does not include dumbwaiters.

  5. "Explosive" means ammunition, black powder, blasting caps, fireworks or any substance or combination of substances commonly used for the purpose of detonation and which, on exposure to any external force or condition, is capable of a relatively instantaneous release of gas and heat.

  6. "Hazardous agricultural chemicals" means any substance that has a toxicity level that requires manufacturer or distributor labeling as category I, category II and category III toxicity in accordance with the regulations adopted by the administrator pursuant to the federal environmental pesticide control act of 1972, as amended.

  7. "Logging" means felling timber, bucking or converting timber into logs, poles, piles, ties, bolts, pulpwood, chemical wood, excelsior wood, cordwood, fence posts or similar products, collecting, skidding, yarding, loading, transporting and unloading such products, constructing, repairing and maintaining roads, railroads, flumes or camps used in connection with logging, moving, installing, rigging and maintenance of machinery or equipment used in logging, operation of a sawmill, lath mill, shingle mill or cooperage stock mill in connection with the storing of logs and bolts, converting logs or bolts into sawed lumber, laths, shingles or cooperage stock and storing, drying and shipping lumber, laths, shingles and cooperage stock or other products of such mills.

  8. "Manufacturing" means designing, assembling, fabricating, producing, constructing or preparing a product or part of a product before sale or use.

  9. "Mine or quarry" means an underground or surface rock or mineral extracting, placer, dredging or bore-hole operation including all grinding and metal mills, washer plants and any other cutting, crushing, grinding, screening, sizing, washing or cleaning operation performed on extracted rocks or minerals.

  10. "Motor vehicle" means an automobile, truck, truck tractor, trailer, semitrailer, motorcycle or similar vehicle propelled or drawn by mechanical power and designed for use as a means of transportation. Motor vehicle does not include a vehicle operated exclusively on rails.

  11. "Outside helper" means a person who rides on a motor vehicle other than in the driver or passenger compartment for the purpose of transporting, loading or unloading items.

  12. "Power-driven bakery machine" means a horizontal or vertical dough mixer, batter mixer, bread dividing, rounding or molding machine, dough brake, dough sheeter, combination bread slicing and wrapping machine, cake cutting band saw, cookie machine or cracker machine.

  13. "Power-driven hoist" means an apparatus for raising or lowering a load by the application of a pulling or pushing force including a crane, derrick or forklift. Power-driven hoist does not include an elevator or an automatic elevator.

  14. "Power-driven meat processing machine" means a meat patty forming machine, meat and bone cutting saw or knife, head splitter, guillotine cutter, snout puller, jaw puller, skinning machine, horizontal rotary washing machine, casing cleaning machine, grinding, mixing, chopping and hashing machines and meat presses.

  15. "Power-driven metal working, forming, punching or shearing machine" means a machine, other than machine tools, which changes the shape of or cuts metal by means of dies, rolls, knives or similar tools which are mounted on rams, plungers or other moving parts.

  16. "Power-driven paper products machine" means a platen die-cutting press, platen printing press, punch press which involves hand feeding of the machine, arm-type wirestitcher or stapler, circular or band saw, corner cutter or mitering machine, corrugating and single or double-lacing machine, envelope die-cutting press, guillotine paper cutter or shear, horizontal bar scorer, laminating or combining machine, sheeting machine, scrap paper baler or vertical slotter or other machine used in the remanufacture or conversion of paper or pulp into a finished product.

  17. "Power-driven woodworking machine" means a fixed or portable machine or tool driven by power and used or designed for cutting, shaping, forming, surfacing, nailing, stapling, wire stitching, fastening, assembling, pressing or printing wood or veneer.

  18. "Processing" means an activity involving an addition to, subtraction from, change in or cleaning of any food or foodstuff including filleting fish, dressing poultry or cracking nuts.

  19. "Radiation" means ionizing radiation including gamma rays, x-rays, alpha and beta particles, high speed electrons, neutrons, protons and other nuclear particles or rays.

  20. "Radioactive substance" means a solid, liquid or gaseous material or materials that spontaneously emit radiation.

  21. "Roofing" means all work performed in connection with the application of weatherproofing materials and substances, including tar, pitch, asphalt, prepared paper, tile, slate, metal, translucent materials and shingles of asbestos, asphalt or wood, to roofs of buildings and other structures. Roofing includes all work performed in connection with installation of roofs, including related metal work, and alterations, additions, maintenance and repair including painting and coating of roofs.

  22. "Silica refractory products" means items produced from raw materials and containing free silica as their main constituent.

  23. "Warehousing" means loading, unloading, storing or otherwise moving any item or items to and from trucks, railroad cars, conveyors and buildings.

  24. "Wrecking, demolition and shipbreaking" means all work, including cleanup and salvage work, performed on or at the site of the total or partial razing, demolishing or dismantling of a building, bridge, steeple, tower, chimney, other structure, motor vehicle, ship or other vessel.


A.R.S. § 23-00231

23-231 - Prohibited employments of persons under the age of eighteen

23-231. Prohibited employments of persons under the age of eighteen

A. Unless a variance is granted pursuant to section 23-241, a person shall not employ or allow a person under the age of eighteen years to work in, about or in connection with:

  1. An establishment manufacturing or storing explosives, except a retail establishment if the employment does not include any handling of explosives other than prepackaged small arms ammunition. In this paragraph "small arms ammunition" means ammunition not exceeding .60 caliber in size, shotgun shells or blasting caps.

  2. Occupations as a motor vehicle driver or outside helper, except for driving incidental to employment if the person has a valid license for operation of the vehicle and either:

(a) The total driving time does not exceed two hours per day or twenty-five per cent of the work period per day.

(b) The total mileage driven is fewer than fifty miles per day.

  1. Mine or quarry occupations.

  2. Logging occupations.

  3. Occupations involving the operation, setup, repair, adjustment, oiling or cleaning of a power-driven woodworking machine.

  4. Occupations involving exposure to radioactive substances and to radiation in excess of 0.5 rem per year.

  5. Occupations involving the operation or assistance in the operation of a power-driven hoist with a capacity exceeding one ton or an elevator, except operation of an automatic elevator incidental to employment.

  6. Occupations involving the operation of a power-driven metal working, forming, punching or shearing machine.

  7. Occupations involving slaughtering, meat packing, processing or rendering of meat or the operation, setup, repair, adjustment, oiling or cleaning of a power-driven meat processing machine.

  8. Occupations involving the operation of a power-driven bakery machine.

  9. Occupations involving the operation of a power-driven paper products machine.

  10. Occupations involving the manufacture of clay construction products or silica refractory products.

  11. Occupations involving the operation of a power-driven saw.

  12. Occupations involving wrecking, demolition and ship-breaking operations.

  13. Occupations involving roofing operations or equipment attached to or placed on roofs.

  14. Occupations in excavation or tunnel operations, except manual excavation, backfilling or working in trenches or other penetrations of the ground surface that do not exceed two feet in depth at any point.

B. The industrial commission may by regulation declare other occupations to be dangerous to lives or limbs or injurious to the health and morals of persons under the age of eighteen years and prohibit the employment or allowance to work in, about or in connection with the occupations by such persons unless a variance is granted.


A.R.S. § 23-00341

23-341 - Equal wage rates; variations; penalties; enforcement

23-341. Equal wage rates; variations; penalties; enforcement

A. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, no employer shall pay any person in his employ at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex in the same establishment for the same quantity and quality of the same classification of work, provided, that nothing herein shall prohibit a variation of rates of pay for male and female employees engaged in the same classification of work based upon a difference in seniority, length of service, ability, skill, difference in duties or services performed, whether regularly or occasionally, difference in the shift or time of day worked, hours of work, or restrictions or prohibitions on lifting or moving objects in excess of specified weight, or other reasonable differentiation, factor or factors other than sex, when exercised in good faith.

B. Any employer who violates subsection A of this section is liable to the employee affected in the amount of the wages of which such employee is deprived by reason of such violation.

C. Any affected employee may register with the commission a complaint that the wages paid to such employee are less than the wages to which such employee is entitled under this section.

D. The commission shall take all proceedings necessary to enforce the payment of any sums found to be due and unpaid to such employees.

E. Any employee receiving less than the wage to which such employee is entitled under this section may recover in a civil action the balance of such wages, together with the costs of suit, notwithstanding any agreement to work for a lesser wage.

F. Any action based upon or arising under this section shall be instituted within six months after the date of the alleged violation, but in no event shall any employer be liable for any pay due under this section for more than thirty days prior to receipt by the employer of written notice of claim thereof from the employee.

G. The burden of proof shall be upon the person bringing the claim to establish that the differentiation in rate of pay is based upon the factor of sex and not upon other differences, factor or factors.


A.R.S. § 3-00145

3-145 - Mandatory and voluntary certification; sampling procedures; application; expiration; renewal

3-145. Mandatory and voluntary certification; sampling procedures; application; expiration; renewal

A. A person who establishes, conducts or maintains a laboratory that provides agricultural laboratory services to agencies or departments of this state or its political subdivisions shall apply for a certificate from the state agricultural laboratory as proof that the laboratory so certified is in compliance with rules adopted by the director for the certification of such laboratories. Any other person providing agricultural laboratory services may apply for such a certificate.

B. A person providing guaranteed laboratory analysis information to distributors of commercial feed and whole seeds for consumption by livestock shall be certified under this section.

C. An individual who collects samples for the state agricultural laboratory or for any certified agricultural laboratory shall follow the sampling procedures established by the director.

D. A certified laboratory shall report test results only to the party who provided the original sample and, on request, to the state agricultural laboratory or as required by section 3-2611.01.

E. A person who desires a certificate pursuant to this section shall file with the state agricultural laboratory an application for a certificate accompanied by the application fee.

F. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the assistant director and furnished by the state agricultural laboratory and shall contain:

  1. The name and location of the laboratory.

  2. The name of the person owning the laboratory and the name of the person supervising the laboratory.

  3. A description of the programs, services and functions provided by the laboratory.

  4. Such other information as the assistant director deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

G. The assistant director shall issue a certificate to an applicant if the assistant director is satisfied that the applicant has complied with the rules prescribing standards for certified laboratories.

H. A certificate expires one year after the date of issuance and shall be renewed upon payment of the renewal application fee as prescribed in section 3-146 and continued compliance with this article and the applicable rules.


A.R.S. § 3-00314

3-314 - Industrial hemp licenses; applications; fees; fingerprinting requirements; renewal; revocation

3-314. Industrial hemp licenses; applications; fees; fingerprinting requirements; renewal; revocation

A. A grower, harvester, transporter or processor shall obtain an industrial hemp license from the department.

B. A grower, harvester, transporter or processor shall apply for a license pursuant to rules and orders adopted by the director.

C. An application for an original or renewal industrial hemp license shall comply with all of the following:

  1. Be on a form that is provided by the department.

  2. Include complete and accurate information.

  3. Be accompanied by the license fee prescribed by the director. The director shall deposit, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, fees collected under this paragraph in the industrial hemp trust fund established by section 3-315.

D. An applicant shall provide proof to the department of having a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.07 for the purpose of validating applicant eligibility.

E. A license issued pursuant to this section is valid for one year, unless revoked, and may be renewed as provided by the department. Rather than renewing a licensee's license every year, a licensee may renew the licensee's license every two years by paying a license fee that is twice the amount designated by the fee schedule in rule that is adopted by the director and other applicable fees. Licensees that renew every two years shall comply with any annual reporting requirements.

F. The department may revoke or refuse to issue or renew a license for a violation of any law of this state, any federal law or any rule or order adopted by the director.

G. A member of an Indian tribe may apply for a license pursuant to this section. If a member of an Indian tribe is issued a license pursuant to this section, the member is subject to the requirements prescribed in this article.


A.R.S. § 3-00367

3-367 - Private right of action

3-367. Private right of action

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, any person having an interest that is or may be adversely affected may commence a civil action in superior court on the person’s own behalf:

  1. Against any person, including this state and any political subdivision of this state, who is alleged to be in violation of this article or of an order, permit or rule adopted or issued pursuant to this article other than a de minimis violation. The court shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provision, order, permit or rule and to apply any appropriate civil penalty under section 3-370.

  2. Against the director where there is alleged a failure of the director to perform any act or duty under this article that is not discretionary with the director. The court shall have jurisdiction to order the director to perform such act or duty.

B. No action may be commenced in either of the following cases:

  1. Before sixty days after the plaintiff has given notice of the alleged violation to the department and to any alleged violator or if, within the sixty days, the director begins and diligently performs the act or duty sought to be compelled.

  2. If the attorney general has commenced and is diligently prosecuting an action before the department under section 3-368 or a civil action in the superior court of this state to require compliance with the permit, order, rule or provision of this article.

C. In any action under this section:

  1. The director, if not a party, may intervene as a matter of right.

  2. The plaintiff has the burden of proof.

D. The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to this section, may:

  1. Award costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees, to any party whenever the court determines such award is appropriate and, in addition, to the defendant in the case of a frivolous action.

  2. Provide for injunctive or other equitable relief or assess civil penalties that could have been administratively assessed. Any monies collected as civil penalties shall be deposited, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in the state general fund.

E. This section shall not be construed to abrogate the provisions of chapter 1, article 2 of this title.


A.R.S. § 3-00466

3-466 - Civil penalties; hearing

3-466. Civil penalties; hearing

A. A person is subject to a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars if the person does either of the following:

  1. Acts as a dealer or shipper without a valid license.

  2. Knowingly falsifies or causes to be falsified information in a record intended to show proof of ownership.

B. A person is subject to a civil penalty of not more than three hundred dollars if the person does any of the following:

  1. Makes a written or oral false, deceptive or misleading representation or assertion concerning the quality, size, maturity or condition of citrus fruit.

  2. Alters, removes or destroys a warning notice from a lot or part of a lot to which it was affixed except on written authorization of an inspector, the associate director or the director or by court order.

  3. Alters a notice of noncompliance, notice of compliance or notice of disposal that is issued by an inspector.

  4. Refuses to submit any container or lot of citrus fruit governed pursuant to this article to an inspection of a representative sample or to refuse to stop and permit inspection of a representative sample of any commercial vehicle containing citrus fruit governed pursuant to this article.

C. A commission merchant is subject to a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars if the commission merchant does any of the following:

  1. Knowingly makes a false or misleading statement as to the condition of any citrus fruit.

  2. Makes a fraudulent charge or return for handling or selling citrus fruit or for rendering any service in connection with handling or selling citrus fruit.

  3. Reconsigns a consignment to receive, collect or charge more than one commission without the consent of the consignor.

  4. Sells citrus fruit at less than market price to a person with whom the consignment merchant has a direct or indirect financial connection.

  5. Makes a sale and directly or indirectly receives a portion of the purchase price other than the commission specified in the contract.

D. A person who is charged with violating this article or rules adopted pursuant to this article may request a hearing pursuant to title 41, chapter 6, article 10.

E. Civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the citrus, fruit and vegetable trust fund.


A.R.S. § 3-00490

3-490 - Unlawful possession; inspection; proof of ownership; seizure; exceptions

3-490. Unlawful possession; inspection; proof of ownership; seizure; exceptions

A. If an inspector or peace officer has probable cause to believe that at least fifty pounds of fruit or vegetables that are regulated pursuant to this article are in unlawful possession, the inspector or peace officer shall request proof of ownership from the person in possession.

B. If an inspector has probable cause to believe that at least fifty pounds of any fruit or vegetables that are regulated pursuant to this article are in unlawful possession in a vehicle, the inspector may request a peace officer to stop the vehicle for inspection and request proof of ownership from the person in possession.

C. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, for the purposes of this section, proof of ownership includes all of the following:

  1. The name, address and telephone number of the seller.

  2. The name, address and telephone number of the buyer, or consignee if not sold.

  3. The common or generic name and quantity of the fruit or vegetable.

  4. The date of the transaction and the date the transportation began.

D. A bill of lading, a bill of sale, data obtainable by electronic transmission or a similar type of document is considered proof of ownership for the purposes of this section.

E. The buyer and seller shall retain a copy of the documents showing proof of ownership for sixty days after delivery.

F. An inspector or peace officer may seize and hold a fruit or vegetable if, after requesting or inspecting the offered proof of ownership, the inspector or peace officer reasonably believes that the person is in unlawful possession of a fruit or vegetable regulated under this article.

G. If an investigation reveals the lawful owner of the fruit or vegetable that has been seized pursuant to this section, the fruit or vegetable shall be released to the owner or the owner's agent. If a seized fruit or vegetable remains unclaimed after a reasonable period of time, the associate director may donate the fruit or vegetable to a nonprofit charitable organization. If the fruit or vegetable does not comply with the standards prescribed pursuant to this article, the associate director may destroy it.

H. This section does not apply to:

  1. Fruit or vegetables that are transported from the farm where they are produced to a commercial packing plant in this state for processing or packing.

  2. Fruit or vegetables that are transported and accompanied by a valid disposal order issued by an inspector to comply with this article or rules adopted pursuant to this article.


A.R.S. § 3-00521

3-521 - Civil penalties; hearing

3-521. Civil penalties; hearing

A. A person is subject to a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars if the person does either of the following:

  1. Acts as a dealer or shipper without a valid license.

  2. Knowingly falsifies or causes to be falsified information in a record intended to show proof of ownership.

B. A person is subject to a civil penalty of not more than three hundred dollars if the person does any of the following:

  1. Makes a written or oral false, deceptive or misleading representation or assertion concerning the quality, size, maturity or condition of fruit or vegetables.

  2. Alters, removes or destroys a warning notice from a lot or part of a lot to which it was affixed except on written authorization of an inspector, the associate director or the director or by court order.

  3. Alters a notice of noncompliance, notice of compliance or notice of disposal that is issued by an inspector.

  4. Refuses to submit any container or lot of fruit or vegetables governed by this article to an inspection of a representative sample or refuses to stop and permit inspection of a representative sample of any commercial vehicle containing fruit and vegetables governed by this article.

C. A commission merchant is subject to a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars if the commission merchant does any of the following:

  1. Knowingly makes a false or misleading statement as to the condition of any fruit or vegetable.

  2. Makes a fraudulent charge or return for handling or selling a fruit or vegetable or for rendering any service in connection with handling or selling a fruit or vegetable.

  3. Reconsigns a consignment to receive, collect or charge more than one commission without the consent of the consignor.

  4. Sells a fruit or vegetable at less than market price to a person with whom the consignment merchant has a direct or indirect financial connection.

  5. Makes a sale and directly or indirectly receives a portion of the purchase price other than the commission specified in the contract.

D. A person who is charged with violating this article or rules adopted pursuant to this article may request a hearing before an administrative law judge pursuant to title 41, chapter 6, article 10. The decision of the administrative law judge is subject to review by the director as provided by title 41, chapter 6, article 10.

E. Civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the citrus, fruit and vegetable trust fund.


A.R.S. § 3-00609

3-609 - Financial condition of milk handlers; security; recovery on default; definition

3-609. Financial condition of milk handlers; security; recovery on default; definition

A. A handler shall not engage or continue in business and the associate director shall deny, suspend or revoke any license issued to the handler under this chapter unless the associate director is satisfied that the handler's financial condition reasonably assures the ability to promptly pay producers for the milk the handler purchases. Before the associate director issues or renews the license the handler must file with the division financial statements for the handler's most recent complete fiscal year together with the auditor's report issued by a certified public accountant registered in this state. If the handler's fiscal year ends in the fourth quarter of the calendar year, the associate director may extend the time for filing the financial statement for up to one hundred twenty days. The handler shall also file interim financial statements within one hundred twenty days following the end of the sixth month of the handler's fiscal year, prepared consistent with the annual financial statement and certified by the handler's chief financial officer, covering the first six months of the handler's fiscal year. The associate director may require additional financial information or certificates at any time. The financial statements:

  1. Shall comply with generally accepted accounting principles.

  2. Shall by separate certificate of the certified public accountant state the handler's current ratio of current assets to current liabilities as of the end of the handler's fiscal year. The certificate accompanying the interim financial statement shall be signed by the handler's chief financial officer.

  3. Are confidential and are not open for public inspection.

B. If the associate director either receives a certificate under subsection A, paragraph 2 that shows a current ratio of current assets to current liabilities of less than 1.2:1.0 or determines at any time that the financial condition of a handler does not reasonably assure payment when due for milk the handler purchases, or if the handler fails to pay for milk when payment is due as provided by applicable law or by agreement between the handler and producer, the associate director shall require that the handler:

  1. File a bond or other security acceptable to the associate director in an amount not to exceed one hundred ten per cent of the sum reasonably anticipated to be due and accrued at any time for the milk purchased by the handler. The security shall be payable or assigned to the associate director for the benefit of producers damaged by the handler's default in paying for milk.

  2. Receive no milk on credit until acceptable security is filed.

C. On or before March 1 and September 1 of each year each handler shall provide written notice to producers from whom it has purchased milk during the preceding six months stating the financial basis on which the handler's license was issued and the type and amount of security, if any, the handler filed under subsection B, paragraph 1. A handler shall not receive a quantity of milk that will increase the amount due and accrued from the handler above the amount represented as a basis for issuing the license under subsection A without first notifying the associate director.

D. On request and on the producer's prior written agreement to maintain its confidentiality, the associate director shall provide a producer with a copy of any financial statement, information or certificate filed under subsection A by a handler that has purchased milk from that producer.

E. A producer who has not been paid by a handler for milk when payment was due as provided by applicable law or by agreement may file a verified proof of claim with the division. On receipt of the claim or any other evidence of default, the associate director, by order, may require all interested creditors to file verified proofs of claim on or before a stated date or be barred from participating in any recovery under this subsection. Notice of the order shall be posted on the handler's premises and published once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected area with the final notice being published at least thirty days before the last date stated in the order for filing claims. On audit and investigation the associate director shall allow or disallow each claim and, if allowed, include interest at the rate of ten per cent per year from the date of default. The associate director shall mail notice of the allowance or disallowance of each claim and if allowed, the rate of interest that applies by certified mail to each claimant and to the handler and the handler's surety. The associate director shall demand, collect and receive the amount necessary to satisfy all allowed claims plus interest from the handler, the security provided by the handler or the handler's surety or sureties. The director, on the recommendation of the associate director, may also commence an action in superior court in Maricopa county for that purpose. The associate director shall distribute all monies received for satisfying the claims plus interest to the claimants, in full or pro rata as the case may be. The associate director shall disallow:

  1. Claims for the value of milk which were due and payable more than thirty days before the associate director received the first claim or notice of default.

  2. Claims covering transactions in which the producer has granted to the handler any voluntary extension of credit in writing.

F. The associate director shall deny, suspend or revoke a handler's license for failure to comply with any provision of this section. On request, the director shall review any action by the associate director under this subsection.

G. The whole claim, including interest and any judgment for the claim, of any person against a handler on account of milk sold or delivered to the handler is entitled to the same preference in any insolvency or other creditor's proceedings as is provided by any other statute to claims for labor. Two or more producers may file a consolidated claim, and, when so filed, the preference is allowed on the amount due each producer. This preference shall also be allowed in bankruptcy proceedings to the extent permitted by federal law. This subsection does not affect or impair any other lien, security or priority for the claim or judgment.

H. This section applies to producers in any state that sell milk to a handler that is licensed by the division, but this section does not apply to the sale of milk in interstate commerce to an out-of-state handler that is not licensed by the division.


A.R.S. § 3-00619

3-619 - Qualification of sampler; license; certificate of proficiency; revocation

3-619. Qualification of sampler; license; certificate of proficiency; revocation

A. No person shall sample milk or cream for the purpose of determining the amount of milk fat contained therein where the result of the test is used as a basis for payment for the milk or cream, or for official inspection or public record, unless licensed by the division. An applicant for a license shall give proof satisfactory to the associate director of his ability to perform his duties and shall pay a license fee of five dollars. The license shall be valid for the calendar year in which issued and upon payment of a renewal fee of one dollar fifty cents shall be renewed for each year in which the licensee desires to operate. A license not renewed prior to February 1 is void.

B. No person shall test milk or cream for the purpose of determining the butterfat content thereof, when the result of the test is used to determine the purchase sales value or the legal standard of the product, unless the tester has a tester's license. A tester's license may be obtained from the division by presenting a certificate of proficiency, and payment of a license fee of five dollars. The license shall be valid for the calendar year in which issued, and upon payment of a renewal fee of one dollar fifty cents shall be renewed for each year in which the tester desires to operate. A license not renewed prior to February 1 is void.

C. A certificate of proficiency may be obtained only from the department of dairy husbandry of the university of Arizona. The applicant therefor shall appear before the department of dairy husbandry or an official representative thereof and submit to such written examination and conduct such demonstration of laboratory technique as the department of dairy husbandry or its representative may require. Upon successfully completing the examination the department of dairy husbandry shall issue the certificate to an applicant displaying required proficiency. A tester's license issued by a state other than this state shall be accepted from the person named thereon in lieu of the certificate of proficiency, but the tester shall have been actively engaged in testing under the license for a period of not less than ninety days and shall furnish proof thereof. Each license shall be kept at the place in which the licensee is employed and shall be open to inspection.

D. A license may be revoked by the associate director, after a hearing upon due notice to the licensee, for a false statement in the application, dishonesty, incompetency or inaccuracy, or for violating any provision of this article. On request, the director shall review any action taken by the associate director under this subsection.


A.R.S. § 4-00101

4-101 - Definitions

4-101. Definitions

In this title, unless the context otherwise requires:

  1. "Act of violence":

(a) Means an incident that consists of a riot, a fight, an altercation or tumultuous conduct and that meets at least one of the following criteria:

(i) Bodily injuries are sustained by any person and the injuries would be obvious to a reasonable person.

(ii) Is of sufficient intensity as to require the intervention of a peace officer to restore normal order.

(iii) A weapon is brandished, displayed or used.

(iv) A licensee or an employee or contractor of the licensee fails to follow a clear and direct lawful order from a law enforcement officer or a fire marshal.

(b) Does not include the use of nonlethal devices by a peace officer.

  1. "Aggrieved party" means a person who resides at, owns or leases property within a one-mile radius of premises proposed to be licensed and who filed a written request with the department to speak in favor of or opposition to the issuance of the license not later than sixty days after filing the application or fifteen days after action by the local governing body, whichever is sooner.

  2. "Beer":

(a) Means any beverage obtained by the alcoholic fermentation, infusion or decoction of barley malt, hops, rice, bran or other grain, glucose, sugar or molasses, or any combination of them, and may include, as adjuncts in fermentation, honey, fruit, fruit juice, fruit concentrate, herbs, spices and other food materials.

(b) Includes beer aged in an empty wooden barrel previously used to contain wine or distilled spirits and as such is not considered a dilution or mixture of any other spirituous liquor.

  1. "Biometric identity verification device" means a device authorized by the department that instantly verifies the identity and age of a person by an electronic scan of a biometric of the person, through a fingerprint, iris image, facial image or other biometric characteristic, or any combination of these characteristics, that references the person's identity and age against any record described in section 4-241, subsection K, and that meets all of the following conditions:

(a) The authenticity of the record was previously verified by an electronic authentication process.

(b) The identity of and information about the record holder was previously verified through either:

(i) A secondary, electronic authentication process or set of processes using commercially available data, such as a public records query or a knowledge-based authentication quiz.

(ii) Using a state or federal government system of records for digital authentication.

(c) The authenticated record was securely linked to biometrics contemporaneously collected from the verified record holder and is stored in a centralized, highly secured, encrypted biometric database.

  1. "Board" means the state liquor board.

  2. "Bona fide guest" means:

(a) An individual who is personally familiar to the member, who is personally sponsored by the member and whose presence as a guest is in response to a specific and personal invitation.

(b) In the case of a club that meets the criteria prescribed in paragraph 8, subdivision (a) of this section, a current member of the armed services of the United States who presents proper military identification and any member of a recognized veterans' organization of the United States and of any country allied with the United States during current or past wars or through treaty arrangements.

  1. "Broken package" means any container of spirituous liquor on which the United States tax seal has been broken or removed or from which the cap, cork or seal placed on the container by the manufacturer has been removed.

  2. "Club" includes any of the following organizations where the sale of spirituous liquor for consumption on the premises is made only to members, spouses of members, families of members, bona fide guests of members and guests at other events authorized in this title:

(a) A post, chapter, camp or other local unit composed solely of veterans and its duly recognized auxiliary that has been chartered by the Congress of the United States for patriotic, fraternal or benevolent purposes and that has, as the owner, lessee or occupant, operated an establishment for that purpose in this state.

(b) A chapter, aerie, parlor, lodge or other local unit of an American national fraternal organization that has, as the owner, lessee or occupant, operated an establishment for fraternal purposes in this state. An American national fraternal organization as used in this subdivision shall actively operate in at least thirty-six states or have been in active continuous existence for at least twenty years.

(c) A hall or building association of a local unit mentioned in subdivisions (a) and (b) of this paragraph of which all of the capital stock is owned by the local unit or the members and that operates the clubroom facilities of the local unit.

(d) A golf club that has more than fifty bona fide members and that owns, maintains or operates a bona fide golf links together with a clubhouse.

(e) A social club that has more than one hundred bona fide members who are actual residents of the county in which it is located, that owns, maintains or operates club quarters, that is authorized and incorporated to operate as a nonprofit club under the laws of this state, and that has been continuously incorporated and operating for a period of at least one year. The club shall have had, during this one-year period, a bona fide membership with regular meetings conducted at least once each month, and the membership shall be and shall have been actively engaged in carrying out the objects of the club. The club's membership shall consist of bona fide dues-paying members paying dues of at least $6 per year, payable monthly, quarterly or annually, which have been recorded by the secretary of the club, and the members at the time of application for a club license shall be in good standing having for at least one full year paid dues. At least fifty-one percent of the members shall have signified their intention to secure a social club license by personally signing a petition, on a form prescribed by the board, which shall also include the correct mailing address of each signer. The petition shall not have been signed by a member at a date earlier than one hundred eighty days before the filing of the application. The club shall qualify for exemption from the payment of state income taxes under title 43. It is the intent of this subdivision that a license shall not be granted to a club that is, or has been, primarily formed or activated to obtain a license to sell liquor, but solely to a bona fide club, where the sale of liquor is incidental to the main purposes of the club.

(f) An airline club operated by or for airlines that are certificated by the United States government and that maintain or operate club quarters located at airports with international status.

  1. "Company" or "association", when used in reference to a corporation, includes successors or assigns.

  2. "Control" means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an applicant or licensee, whether through the ownership of voting securities or a partnership interest, by agreement or otherwise. Control is presumed to exist if a person has the direct or indirect ownership of or power to vote ten percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of the applicant or licensee or to control in any manner the election of one or more of the directors of the applicant or licensee. In the case of a partnership, control is presumed to mean the general partner or a limited partner who holds ten percent or more of the voting rights of the partnership. For the purposes of determining the percentage of voting securities owned, controlled or held by a person, there shall be aggregated with the voting securities attributed to the person the voting securities of an officer, partner, employee or agent of the person or a spouse, parent or child of the person. Control is also presumed to exist if a creditor of the applicant or licensee holds a beneficial interest in ten percent or more of the liabilities of the licensee. The presumptions in this paragraph regarding control are rebuttable.

  3. "Controlling person" means a person directly or indirectly possessing control of an applicant or licensee.

  4. "Craft distiller" means a distiller in the United States or in a territory or possession of the United States that holds a license pursuant to section 4-205.10.

  5. "Craft producer" means a licensed farm winery, a licensed microbrewery or a licensed craft distiller.

  6. "Department" means the department of liquor licenses and control.

  7. "Director" means the director of the department of liquor licenses and control.

  8. "Distilled spirits" includes alcohol, brandy, whiskey, rum, tequila, mescal, gin, absinthe, a compound or mixture of any of them or of any of them with any vegetable or other substance, alcohol bitters, bitters containing alcohol, fruits preserved in ardent spirits, and any alcoholic mixture or preparation, whether patented or otherwise, that may in sufficient quantities produce intoxication.

  9. "Employee" means any person who performs any service on licensed premises on a full-time, part-time or contract basis with consent of the licensee, whether or not the person is denominated an employee or independent contractor or otherwise. Employee does not include a person who is exclusively on the premises for musical or vocal performances, for repair or maintenance of the premises or for the delivery of goods to the licensee.

  10. "Farm winery" means a winery in the United States or in a territory or possession of the United States that holds a license pursuant to section 4-205.04.

  11. "Government license" means a license to serve and sell spirituous liquor on specified premises available only to a state agency, state board, state commission, county, city, town, community college or state university or the national guard or Arizona coliseum and exposition center on application by the governing body of the state agency, state board, state commission, county, city, town, community college or state university or the national guard or Arizona exposition and state fair board.

  12. "Legal drinking age" means twenty-one years of age or older.

  13. "License" means a license or an interim retail permit issued pursuant to this title.

  14. "Licensee" means a person who has been issued a license or an interim retail permit pursuant to this title or a special event licensee.

  15. "License fees" means fees collected for license issuance, license application, license renewal, interim permit issuance and license transfer between persons or locations.

  16. "Manager" means a natural person who meets the standards required of licensees and who has authority to organize, direct, carry on, control or otherwise operate a licensed business on a temporary or full-time basis.

  17. "Menu food item" means a food item from a regular menu, special menu or happy hour menu that is prepared by the licensee or the licensee's employee.

  18. "Microbrewery" means a brewery in the United States or in a territory or possession of the United States that meets the requirements of section 4-205.08.

  19. "Mixed cocktail":

(a) Means any drink combined at the premises of an authorized licensee that contains a spirituous liquor and that is combined with at least one other ingredient, which may include additional spirituous liquors, fruit juice, vegetable juice, mixers, cream, flavored syrup or other ingredients except water, and that when combined contains more than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume.

(b) Does not include a drink sold in an original manufacturer's packaging or any drink poured from an original manufacturer's package without the addition of all of the cocktail's other ingredients at the premises of the licensed bar, liquor store or restaurant.

  1. "Off-sale retailer" means any person that operates a bona fide regularly established retail liquor store that sells spirituous liquors, wines and beer and any established retail store that sells commodities other than spirituous liquors and that is engaged in the sale of spirituous liquors only in the original unbroken package, to be taken away from the premises of the retailer and to be consumed off the premises.

  2. "On-sale retailer" means any person operating an establishment where spirituous liquors are sold in the original container for consumption on or off the premises or in individual portions for consumption on the premises.

  3. "Permanent occupancy" means the maximum occupancy of the building or facility as set by the office of the state fire marshal for the jurisdiction in which the building or facility is located.

  4. "Person" includes a partnership, limited liability company, association, company or corporation, as well as a natural person.

  5. "Premises" or "licensed premises":

(a) Means the area from which the licensee is authorized to sell, dispense or serve spirituous liquors under the provision of the license.

(b) Includes a patio that is not contiguous to the remainder of the premises or licensed premises if the patio is separated from the remainder of the premises or licensed premises by a public or private walkway or driveway not to exceed thirty feet, subject to rules the director may adopt to establish criteria for noncontiguous premises.

  1. "Registered alcohol delivery contractor":

(a) Means a person who delivers spirituous liquor to a consumer on behalf of a bar, beer and wine bar, liquor store, beer and wine store or restaurant.

(b) Does not include:

(i) A motor carrier as defined in section 28-5201.

(ii) An independent contractor, a subcontractor of an independent contractor, an employee of an independent contractor or an employee of a subcontractor as provided in section 4-203, subsection J.

  1. "Registered mail" includes certified mail.

  2. "Registered retail agent" means any person who is authorized pursuant to section 4-222 to purchase spirituous liquors for and on behalf of the person and other retail licensees.

  3. "Repeated acts of violence" means:

(a) For licensed premises with a permanent occupancy of two hundred or fewer persons, two or more acts of violence occurring within seven days or three or more acts of violence occurring within thirty days.

(b) For licensed premises with a permanent occupancy of more than two hundred but not more than four hundred persons, four or more acts of violence within thirty days.

(c) For licensed premises with a permanent occupancy of more than four hundred but not more than six hundred fifty persons, five or more acts of violence within thirty days.

(d) For licensed premises with a permanent occupancy of more than six hundred fifty but not more than one thousand fifty persons, six or more acts of violence within thirty days.

(e) For licensed premises with a permanent occupancy of more than one thousand fifty persons, seven or more acts of violence within thirty days.

  1. "Sell" includes soliciting or receiving an order for, keeping or exposing for sale, directly or indirectly delivering for value, peddling, keeping with intent to sell and trafficking in.

  2. "Spirituous liquor" includes alcohol, brandy, whiskey, rum, tequila, mescal, gin, wine, porter, ale, beer, any malt liquor or malt beverage, absinthe, a compound or mixture of any of them or of any of them with any vegetable or other substance, alcohol bitters, bitters containing alcohol, any liquid mixture or preparation, whether patented or otherwise, that produces intoxication, fruits preserved in ardent spirits, and beverages containing more than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume.

  3. "Tamperproof sealed" means designed to prevent consumption without the removal of a tamperproof cap, seal, cork or closure that has a device, mechanism or adhesive that clearly shows whether a container has been opened.

  4. "Vehicle" means any means of transportation by land, water or air, and includes everything made use of in any way for such transportation.

  5. "Vending machine" means a machine that dispenses merchandise through the means of coin, token, credit card or other nonpersonal means of accepting payment for merchandise received.

  6. "Veteran" means a person who has served in the United States air force, army, navy, marine corps or coast guard, as an active nurse in the services of the American red cross, in the army and navy nurse corps in time of war, or in any expedition of the armed forces of the United States, and who has received a discharge other than dishonorable.

  7. "Voting security" means any security presently entitling the owner or holder of the security to vote for the election of directors of an applicant or a licensee.

  8. "Wine" means the product obtained by the fermentation of grapes, other agricultural products containing natural or added sugar or cider or any such alcoholic beverage fortified with grape brandy and containing not more than twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume.


A.R.S. § 4-00201

4-201 - Licensing; application procedure in city, town or county; burden of proof

4-201. Licensing; application procedure in city, town or county; burden of proof

A. A person desiring a license to manufacture, sell or deal in spirituous liquors shall apply to the director on a form prescribed and furnished by the director.

B. A person who files an application for a license within an incorporated city or town shall file the application with the director. The director shall remit the application to the city or town clerk. The city or town clerk shall immediately file a copy of the application in the clerk's office and post a copy for a period of twenty days in a conspicuous place on the front of the premises where the business is proposed to be conducted, with a statement requiring any natural person who is a bona fide resident residing or owning or leasing property within a one-mile radius from the premises proposed to be licensed, and who is in favor of or opposed to the issuance of the license, to file written arguments in favor of or opposed to the issuance of the license with the clerk within twenty days after the date of posting. The posting shall be limited to a copy of the license application and shall not contain any attachments filed with the application. The written argument shall contain the natural person's complete name, street address or post office box address and written or electronic signature. If the written arguments are filed by a person on behalf of a corporation or other legal entity or association, the written arguments must be accompanied by a copy of the entity's organizing document, a designation of the office or position that the person holds within the organization and a copy of the written appointment of the person to speak on behalf of the organization. If the written arguments are filed by a neighborhood association, block watch or other unincorporated association, written arguments must be accompanied by a letter of authority designating that person as a spokesperson. The posting shall contain substantially the following:

Notice

A hearing on a liquor license application shall be held before the local governing body at the following date, time and place:

(Insert date, time and address)

The local governing body will recommend to the state liquor board whether the board should grant or deny the license. The state liquor board may hold a hearing to consider the recommendation of the local governing body. Any person residing or owning or leasing property within a one-mile radius may contact the state liquor board in writing to register as a protestor. To request information regarding procedures before the board and notice of any board hearings regarding this application, contact the state liquor board at:

(Insert address and telephone number).

No arguments shall be filed or accepted by the city or town clerk thereafter. This subsection does not prevent a bona fide resident residing or owning or leasing property within a one-mile radius from the premises proposed to be licensed from testifying in favor of or in opposition to the issuance of the license, regardless of whether or not the person is a user or nonuser of spirituous liquor.

C. The governing body of the city, town or county shall then enter an order recommending approval or disapproval within sixty days after the filing of the application and shall file a certified copy of the order with the director. If the recommendation is for disapproval, a statement of the specific reasons containing a summary of the testimony or other evidence supporting the recommendation for disapproval shall be attached to the order. All petitions submitted to the governing body within the twenty-day period for filing protests shall be transmitted to the director with the certified copy of the order.

D. If a person applies for a license to conduct a spirituous liquor business outside an incorporated city or town, the director shall remit the application to the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county where the applicant desires to do business, and the proceedings by the clerk and board of supervisors shall be as provided for cities and towns.

E. On receipt of an application for a spirituous liquor license, the director shall set the application for a hearing by the board on a date following the expiration of the time fixed for the submitting of the certified order by the governing body of the city or town or the board of supervisors. If the city or town or the county recommends approval of the license a hearing is not required unless the director, the board or any aggrieved party requests a hearing on the grounds that the public convenience and the best interest of the community will not be substantially served if a license is issued. Any natural person residing or owning or leasing property within a one-mile radius of the proposed location may file a written protest with the director on a form prescribed by the director not later than fifteen calendar days after action by the local governing body or sixty days after the filing of the application, whichever is sooner. The director shall allow protests to be submitted by e-mail. The written argument shall contain the natural person's complete name, street address or post office box address and written or electronic signature. If the written arguments are filed by a person on behalf of a corporation or other legal entity or association, the written arguments must be accompanied by a copy of the entity's organizing document, a designation of the office or position that the person holds within the organization and a copy of the written appointment of the person to speak on behalf of the organization. If the written arguments are filed by a neighborhood association, block watch or other unincorporated association, written arguments must be accompanied by a letter of authority designating that person as a spokesperson. If no hearing is requested by the director, the board or any aggrieved party, the application may be approved by the director. If the recommendation is for disapproval of an application, the board shall hold a hearing. If the city, town or county recommends approval of the license pursuant to subsection C of this section or makes no recommendation, the director may cancel the hearing and issue the license unless the board or any aggrieved party requests a hearing. If the reason for the protest is clearly removed or deemed satisfied by the director, the board shall cancel the hearing. If the board cancels the hearing, the department may administratively issue an order without the applicant licensee or other parties present. The certified order, the reasons contained in the order and the summary of the testimony and other evidence supporting the city, town or county disapproval of the recommendation shall be read into the record before the board and shall be considered as evidence by the board. The board shall consider the certified order together with other facts and a report of the director relating to the qualifications of the applicant. If the governing body of the city or town or the board of supervisors fails to return to the director, as provided in subsections C and D of this section, its order of disapproval, no hearing is required. An application shall be approved or disapproved within one hundred five days after the filing of the application. If, after a hearing by the board where a license has been approved, a formal written order is not entered within thirty days after the hearing, the decision of the board is deemed entered on the thirtieth day after the hearing.

F. A hearing may be conducted by an administrative law judge at the request of the board to make findings and recommendations for use by the board in determining whether to grant or deny a license. The administrative law judge shall submit a report of findings to the board within twenty days after the hearing. The board may affirm, reverse, adopt, modify, supplement, amend or reject the administrative law judge's report in whole or in part.

G. Except for a person-to-person transfer of a transferable license for use at the same location and as otherwise provided in section 4-203, subsection A, in all proceedings before the governing body of a city or town, the board of supervisors of a county or the board, the applicant bears the burden of showing that the public convenience requires and that the best interest of the community will be substantially served by the issuance of a license.

H. In order to prevent the proliferation of spirituous liquor licenses the department may deny a license to a business on the grounds that the business is inappropriate for the sale of spirituous liquor. An inappropriate business is one that cannot clearly demonstrate that the sale of spirituous liquor is directly connected to its primary purpose and that the sale of spirituous liquor is not merely incidental to its primary purpose.

I. The board shall adopt, by rule, guidelines that state criteria for use in determining whether the public convenience requires and the best interest of the community will be substantially served by the issuance or transfer of a liquor license at the location applied for. These guidelines shall govern the recommendations and other approvals of the department and the local governing authority.

J. If the governing body of a city or town recommends disapproval by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting on an application for the issuance or transfer of a spirituous liquor license that, if approved, would result in a license being issued at a location either having no license or having a license of a different series, the application shall not be approved unless the board decides to approve the application by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.


A.R.S. § 4-00203

4-203 - Licenses; issuance; transfer; reversion to state; tastings; rules; off-sale privileges; order requirements

4-203. Licenses; issuance; transfer; reversion to state; tastings; rules; off-sale privileges; order requirements

A. A spirituous liquor license shall be issued only after satisfactory showing of the capability, qualifications and reliability of the applicant and, with the exception of wholesaler, producer, government or club licenses, that the public convenience requires and that the best interest of the community will be substantially served by the issuance. If an application is filed for the issuance of a transferable or nontransferable license, other than for a craft distiller license, a microbrewery license or a farm winery license, for a location that on the date the application is filed has a valid license of the same series, or in the case of a restaurant license application filed for a location with a valid hotel-motel license, issued at that location, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the public convenience and best interest of the community at that location was established at the time the location was previously licensed. The presumption may be rebutted by competent contrary evidence. The presumption shall not apply once the licensed location has not been in use for more than one hundred eighty days and the presumption shall not extend to the personal qualifications of the applicant.

B. The license shall be to manufacture, sell or deal in spirituous liquors only at the place and in the manner provided in the license. A separate license shall be issued for each specific business, and each shall specify:

  1. The particular spirituous liquors that the licensee is authorized to manufacture, sell or deal in.

  2. The place of business for which issued.

  3. The purpose for which the liquors may be manufactured or sold.

C. A spirituous liquor license issued to a bar, a liquor store or a beer and wine bar shall be transferable as to any permitted location within the same county, if the transfer meets the requirements of an original application. A spirituous liquor license may be transferred to a person qualified to be a licensee, if the transfer is pursuant to either judicial decree, nonjudicial foreclosure of a legal or equitable lien, including security interests held by financial institutions pursuant to section 4-205.05, a sale of the license, a bona fide sale of the entire business and stock in trade, or other bona fide transactions that are provided for by rule. Any change in ownership of the business of a licensee, directly or indirectly, as defined by rule is deemed a transfer, except that there is no transfer if a new artificial person is added to the ownership of a licensee's business but the controlling persons remain identical to the controlling persons that have been previously disclosed to the director as part of the licensee's existing ownership.

D. All applications for a new license pursuant to section 4-201 or for a transfer to a new location pursuant to subsection C of this section shall be filed with and determined by the director, except when the governing body of the city or town or the board of supervisors receiving an application pursuant to section 4-201 orders disapproval of the application or when the director, the state liquor board or any aggrieved party requests a hearing. The application shall then be presented to the state liquor board, and the new license or transfer shall not become effective unless approved by the state liquor board.

E. A person who assigns, surrenders, transfers or sells control of a liquor license or business that has a spirituous liquor license shall notify the director within thirty business days after the assignment, surrender, transfer or sale. A spirituous liquor license shall not be leased or subleased. A concession agreement entered into under section 4-205.03 is not considered a lease or sublease in violation of this section.

F. If a person other than those persons originally licensed acquires control over a license or licensee, the person shall file notice of the acquisition with the director within thirty business days after the acquisition of control and a list of officers, directors or other controlling persons on a form prescribed by the director. There is no acquisition of control if a new person is added to the ownership of a licensee's business but the controlling persons remain identical to the controlling persons that have been previously disclosed to the director as part of the licensee's existing ownership. All officers, directors or other controlling persons shall meet the qualifications for licensure as prescribed by this title. On request, the director shall conduct a preinvestigation before the assignment, sale or transfer of control of a license or licensee, the reasonable costs of which, not more than $1,000, shall be borne by the applicant. The preinvestigation shall determine whether the qualifications for licensure as prescribed by this title are met. On receipt of notice of an acquisition of control or request of a preinvestigation, the director, within fifteen days after receipt, shall forward the notice of the acquisition of control to the local governing body of the city or town, if the licensed premises is in an incorporated area, or the county, if the licensed premises is in an unincorporated area. The director shall include in the notice to the local governing body written instructions on how the local governing body may examine, free of charge, the results of the department's investigation regarding the capabilities, qualifications and reliability of all officers, directors or other controlling persons listed in the application for acquisition of control. The local governing body, or the governing body's designee, may provide the director with a recommendation, either in favor of or against the acquisition of control, within sixty days after the director mails the notice, but section 4-201 does not apply to the acquisition of control provided for in this section. A local governing body may charge not more than one fee, regardless of the number of licenses held by the applicant, for review of one or more applications for acquisition of control submitted to the department at the same time and for the same entity. Within one hundred five days after filing the notice of the acquisition of control, the director shall determine whether the applicant is qualified, capable and reliable for licensure. A recommendation by the local governing body, or the governing body's designee, against the acquisition of control or denial by the director shall be set for a hearing before the board. The person who has acquired control of a license or licensee has the burden of an original application at the hearing, and the board shall make its determination pursuant to section 4-202 and this section with respect to capability, reliability and qualification.

G. A licensee who holds a license in nonuse status for more than five months shall be required to pay a $100 surcharge for each month thereafter. The surcharge shall be paid at the time the license is returned to active status. A license automatically reverts to the state after being held in continuous nonuse for more than thirty-six months. The director may waive the surcharge and may extend the time period provided in this subsection for good cause if the licensee files a written request for an extension of time to place the license in active status before the date of the automatic reversion. Unless the reverted license of the licensee has been subsequently reissued, the director shall relieve a licensee or its legal representative from a prior license reversion under this section if the request for such relief is filed in writing not later than two years after the date of reversion. A license shall not be deemed to have gone into active status if the license is transferred to a location that at the time of or immediately before the transfer had an active license of the same type, unless the licenses are under common ownership or control.

H. A restructuring of a licensee's business is not an acquisition of control, a transfer of a spirituous liquor license or the issuance of a new spirituous liquor license if both of the following apply:

  1. All of the controlling persons of the licensee and the new business entity are identical.

  2. There is no change in control or beneficial ownership.

I. If subsection H of this section applies, the licensee's history of violations of this title is the history of the new business entity. The director may prescribe a form and shall require the applicant to provide the necessary information to ensure compliance with this subsection and subsections F and G of this section.

J. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, the holder of a retail license in this state having off-sale privileges, except a bar, beer and wine bar or restaurant licensee, may take orders by telephone, mail, fax or catalog, through the internet or by other means for the sale and delivery of spirituous liquor off of the licensed premises to a person in this state in connection with the sale of spirituous liquor. Notwithstanding the definition of "sell" prescribed in section 4-101, the placement of an order and payment pursuant to this section is not a sale until delivery has been made. At the time that the order is placed, the licensee shall inform the purchaser that state law requires a purchaser of spirituous liquor to be at least twenty-one years of age and that the person accepting delivery of the spirituous liquor is required to comply with this state's age identification requirements as prescribed in section 4-241, subsections A and K. The licensee may maintain a delivery service and may contract with one or more independent contractors, that may also contract with one or more independent contractors, or may contract with a common carrier for delivery of spirituous liquor if the spirituous liquor is loaded for delivery at the premises of the retail licensee in this state and delivered in this state. Except if the person delivering the order has personally retrieved and bagged or otherwise packaged the container of spirituous liquor for delivery and the licensee records, or requires to be recorded electronically, the identification information for each delivery, all containers of spirituous liquor delivered pursuant to this subsection shall be conspicuously labeled with the words "contains alcohol, signature of person who is twenty-one years of age or older is required for delivery". The licensee is responsible for any violation of this title or any rule adopted pursuant to this title that is committed in connection with any sale or delivery of spirituous liquor. Delivery must be made by an employee of the licensee or other authorized person as provided by this section who is at least twenty-one years of age to a customer who is at least twenty-one years of age and who displays an identification at the time of delivery that complies with section 4-241, subsection K. The retail licensee shall collect payment for the full price of the spirituous liquor from the purchaser before the product leaves the licensed premises. The director shall adopt rules that set operational limits for the delivery of spirituous liquors by the holder of a retail license having off-sale privileges. With respect to the delivery of spirituous liquor, for any violation of this title or any rule adopted pursuant to this title that is based on the act or omission of a licensee's employee or other authorized person, the mitigation provision of section 4-210, subsection G applies, with the exception of the training requirement. For the purposes of this subsection and notwithstanding the definition of "sell" prescribed in section 4-101, section 4-241, subsections A and K apply only at the time of delivery. For the purposes of compliance with this subsection, an independent contractor, a subcontractor of an independent contractor, the employee of an independent contractor or the employee of a subcontractor is deemed to be acting on behalf of the licensee when making a delivery of spirituous liquor for the licensee.

K. Except as provided in subsection J of this section, Arizona licensees may transport spirituous liquors for themselves in vehicles owned, leased or rented by the licensee.

L. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, an off-sale retail licensee may provide consumer tasting of wines off of the licensed premises subject to all applicable provisions of section 4-206.01.

M. The director may adopt reasonable rules to protect the public interest and prevent abuse by licensees of the activities permitted such licensees by subsections J and L of this section.

N. Failure to pay any surcharge prescribed by subsection G of this section or failure to report the period of nonuse of a license shall be grounds for revocation of the license or grounds for any other sanction provided by this title. The director may consider extenuating circumstances if control of the license is acquired by another party in determining whether or not to impose any sanctions under this subsection.

O. If a licensed location has not been in use for three years, the location must requalify for a license pursuant to subsection A of this section and shall meet the same qualifications required for issuance of a new license except when the director deems that the nonuse of the location was due to circumstances beyond the licensee's control and an extension of time has been granted pursuant to subsection G of this section.

P. If the licensee's interest is forfeited pursuant to section 4-210, subsection L, the location shall requalify for a license pursuant to subsection A of this section and shall meet the same qualifications required for issuance of a new license except when a bona fide lienholder demonstrates mitigation pursuant to section 4-210, subsection K.

Q. The director may implement a procedure for the issuance of a license with a licensing period of two years.

R. For any sale of a farm winery or craft distiller or change in ownership of a farm winery or craft distiller directly or indirectly, the business, stock-in-trade and spirituous liquor may be transferred with the ownership, in compliance with the applicable requirements of this title.

S. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, bar, beer and wine bar, liquor store, beer and wine store or restaurant licensees in this state may take orders by telephone, mail, fax or catalog, through the internet or by other means for the sale and delivery of spirituous liquor off the licensed premises as follows:

  1. Bar licensees for beer, wine, distilled spirits and mixed cocktails.

  2. Beer and wine bar licensees for beer and wine.

  3. Liquor store licensees for beer, wine, distilled spirits and mixed cocktails.

  4. Beer and wine store licensees for beer and wine.

  5. Restaurant licensees for any of the following:

(a) Mixed cocktails, with the sale of menu food items for consumption on or off the licensed premises, if the restaurant holds a permit issued pursuant to section 4-203.07 and section 4-205.02, subsection K or a lease pursuant to section 4-203.06.

(b) Beer if the restaurant holds a permit issued pursuant to section 4-205.02, subsection H.

(c) Beer, wine and distilled spirits if the restaurant holds an off-sale privileges lease with a bar or liquor store pursuant to section 4-203.07.

(d) Beer and wine if the restaurant holds an off-sale privileges lease with a beer and wine bar pursuant to section 4-203.07.

T. Notwithstanding the definition of "sell" prescribed in section 4-101, placing an order and paying for that order pursuant to subsection S of this section is not a sale until delivery has been made. At the time that the order is placed, the licensee shall inform the purchaser that state law requires a purchaser of spirituous liquor to be at least twenty-one years of age and that the person accepting delivery of the spirituous liquor is required to comply with this state's age identification requirements as prescribed in section 4-241, subsections A and K. The licensee may maintain a delivery service and may contract with one or more alcohol delivery contractors registered pursuant to section 4-205.13 for delivery of spirituous liquor if the spirituous liquor is packaged and tamperproof sealed by the bar, beer and wine bar, liquor store, beer and wine store or restaurant licensee or the licensee's employee and is loaded for delivery at the premises of the restaurant, beer and wine bar, liquor store, beer and wine store or bar licensee in this state and delivered in this state on the same business day. A liquor store or beer and wine store licensee may contract with one or more independent contractors as provided in subsection J of this section for delivery of spirituous liquor if the spirituous liquor is loaded for delivery at the premises of the liquor store or beer and wine store licensee in this state and delivered in this state on the same business day. All containers of spirituous liquor delivered pursuant to subsection S of this section shall be tamperproof sealed and conspicuously labeled with the words "contains alcohol, signature of person who is twenty-one years of age or older is required for delivery". The licensee is responsible for any violation of this title or any rule adopted pursuant to this title that is committed in connection with any sale or delivery of spirituous liquor. Delivery must be made by an employee of the licensee or an employee or authorized independent contractor of a registered alcohol delivery contractor as provided by this section who is at least twenty-one years of age and delivery must be made to a customer who is at least twenty-one years of age and who displays an identification at the time of delivery that complies with section 4-241, subsection K. The restaurant, beer and wine bar, liquor store, beer and wine store or bar licensee shall collect payment for the full price of the spirituous liquor from the purchaser before the product leaves the licensed premises. The director shall adopt rules that set operational limits for the delivery of spirituous liquor pursuant to this subsection and subsection S of this section with respect to the delivery of spirituous liquor. For any violation of this title or any rule adopted pursuant to this title that is based on the act or omission of a licensee's employee or a registered alcohol delivery contractor, the mitigation provision of section 4-210, subsection G applies, with the exception of the training requirement. For the purposes of this subsection and notwithstanding the definition of "sell" prescribed in section 4-101, section 4-241, subsections A and K apply only at the time of delivery. An alcohol delivery contractor, a subcontractor of an alcohol delivery contractor, an employee of an alcohol delivery contractor or an employee of a subcontractor is deemed to be acting on behalf of the licensee when making a delivery of spirituous liquor for the licensee. For the purposes of this subsection, "business day" means between the hours of 6:00 a.m. of one day and 2:00 a.m. of the next day.

U. A licensee that has off-sale privileges and that delivers spirituous liquor as prescribed in this section shall complete a written record of each delivery at the time of delivery. The written record shall include all of the following:

  1. The name of the licensee making the delivery.

  2. The complete address of the licensee making the delivery.

  3. The licensee's license number.

  4. The date and time of the delivery.

  5. The address where the delivery was made.

  6. The type and brand of all spirituous liquor delivered.

V. A licensee that has off-sale privileges and that delivers spirituous liquor as prescribed in this section shall obtain the following information from the individual who accepts delivery:

  1. The individual's name.

  2. The individual's date of birth.

  3. The individual's signature. The licensee making the delivery may use an electronic signature system to comply with the requirements of this paragraph.


A.R.S. § 4-00241

4-241 - Selling or giving liquor to underage person; illegally obtaining liquor by underage person; violation; classification

4-241. Selling or giving liquor to underage person; illegally obtaining liquor by underage person; violation; classification

A. If a licensee, an employee of the licensee or any other person questions or has reason to question that the person ordering, purchasing, attempting to purchase or otherwise procuring or attempting to procure the serving or delivery of spirituous liquor or entering a portion of a licensed premises when the primary use is the sale or service of spirituous liquor is under the legal drinking age, the licensee, employee of the licensee or other person shall do all of the following:

  1. Demand identification from the person.

  2. Examine the identification to determine that the identification reasonably appears to be a valid, unaltered identification that has not been defaced.

  3. Examine the photograph in the identification and determine that the person reasonably appears to be the same person in the identification.

  4. Determine that the date of birth in the identification indicates the person is not under the legal drinking age.

B. A licensee or an employee of the licensee who follows the procedures prescribed in subsection A of this section and who records and retains a record of the person's identification on this particular visit, or a licensee or an employee of the licensee who uses a biometric identity verification device to verify a person is not under the legal drinking age as provided in subsection W of this section, is not in violation of subsection J of this section or section 4-244, paragraph 9 or 22. This defense applies to actions of the licensee and all employees of the licensee after the procedure prescribed in subsection A or W of this section has been employed during the particular visit to the licensed premises by the person. A licensee or an employee of the licensee is not required to demand and examine identification of a person pursuant to subsection A or W of this section if, during this visit to the licensed premises by the person, the licensee or any employee of the licensee has previously followed the procedure prescribed in subsection A or W of this section.

C. Proof that the licensee or employee followed the entire procedure prescribed in subsection A of this section but did not record and retain a record as prescribed in subsection B of this section is an affirmative defense to a criminal charge under subsection J of this section or under section 4-244, paragraph 9 or 22 or a disciplinary action under section 4-210 for a violation of subsection J of this section or section 4-244, paragraph 9 or 22. This defense applies to actions of the licensee and all employees of the licensee after the procedure has been employed during the particular visit to the licensed premises by the person.

D. A licensee or an employee who has not recorded and retained a record of the identification as prescribed by subsection B of this section is presumed not to have followed any of the elements prescribed in subsection A of this section.

E. For the purposes of section 4-244, paragraph 22, a licensee or an employee who has not recorded and retained a record of the identification as prescribed by subsection B of this section is presumed to know that the person entering or attempting to enter a portion of a licensed premises when the primary use is the sale or service of spirituous liquor is under the legal drinking age.

F. It is a defense to a violation of subsection A of this section if the person ordering, purchasing, attempting to purchase or otherwise procuring or attempting to procure the serving or delivery of spirituous liquor or to enter a portion of a licensed premises when the primary use is the sale or service of spirituous liquor is not under the legal drinking age.

G. A person penalized for a violation of subsection J of this section or section 4-244, paragraph 22 shall not be additionally penalized for a violation of subsection A or W of this section relating to the same event.

H. The defenses provided in this section do not apply to a licensee or an employee who has actual knowledge that the person exhibiting the identification is under the legal drinking age.Â

I. Any of the following types of records are acceptable forms for recording the person's identification:

  1. A writing containing the type of identification, the date of issuance of the identification, the name on the identification, the date of birth on the identification and the signature of the person.

  2. An electronic file or printed document produced by a device that reads the person's age from the identification.

  3. A dated and signed photocopy of the identification.

  4. A photograph of the identification.

  5. A digital copy of the identification.

J. An off-sale retail licensee or employee of an off-sale retail licensee shall require an instrument of identification from any customer who appears to be under twenty-seven years of age and who is using a drive-through or other physical feature of the licensed premises that allows a customer to purchase spirituous liquor without leaving the customer's vehicle.

K. The following written instruments are the only types of identification that are acceptable under subsection A of this section:

  1. An unexpired driver license issued by this state. A driver license issued to a person who is under twenty-one years of age is no longer an acceptable type of identification under this paragraph thirty days after the person turns twenty-one years of age.

  2. An unexpired driver license issued by any other state, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United States or Canada if the license includes a picture of the person and the person's date of birth.

  3. An unexpired nonoperating identification license issued pursuant to section 28-3165. An unexpired nonoperating license issued to a person who is under twenty-one years of age is no longer an acceptable type of identification under this paragraph thirty days after the person turns twenty-one years of age.

  4. A form of identification license issued by any other state, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United States or Canada if the license is substantially equivalent to a nonoperating identification license issued pursuant to section 28-3165 and includes a picture of the person and the person's date of birth.Â

  5. An unexpired armed forces identification card that includes the person's picture and date of birth.

  6. A valid unexpired passport or a valid unexpired resident alien card that contains a photograph of the person and the person's date of birth.

  7. A valid unexpired consular identification card that is issued by a foreign government if the foreign government uses biometric identity verification techniques in issuing the consular identification card. For the purposes of this paragraph, "biometric identity verification techniques" has the same meaning prescribed in section 41-5001.

  8. A valid unexpired border crossing card issued by the United States government that contains a photograph of the person and the person's date of birth.

L. A person who is under the legal drinking age and who misrepresents the person's age to any person by means of a written instrument of identification with the intent to induce a person to sell, serve, give or furnish spirituous liquor contrary to law is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

M. A person who is under the legal drinking age and who solicits another person to purchase, sell, give, serve or furnish spirituous liquor contrary to law is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.

N. A person who is under the legal drinking age and who uses a fraudulent or false written instrument of identification or identification of another person or uses a valid license or identification of another person to gain access to a licensed establishment is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

O. A person who uses a driver or nonoperating identification license in violation of subsection L or N of this section is subject to suspension of the driver or nonoperating identification license as provided in section 28-3309. A person who does not have a valid driver or nonoperating identification license and who uses a driver or nonoperating identification license of another in violation of subsection N of this section has the person's right to apply for a driver or nonoperating identification license suspended as provided by section 28-3309.

P. A person who knowingly influences the sale, giving or serving of spirituous liquor to a person under the legal drinking age by misrepresenting the age of such person or who orders, requests, receives or procures spirituous liquor from any licensee, employee or other person with the intent of selling, giving or serving it to a person under the legal drinking age is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. A licensee or employee of a licensee who has actual knowledge that a person is under the legal drinking age and who admits the person into any portion of the licensed premises in violation of section 4-244, paragraph 22 is in violation of this subsection. In addition to other penalties provided by law, a judge may suspend a driver license issued to or the driving privilege of a person for not more than thirty days for a first conviction and not more than six months for a second or subsequent conviction under this subsection.

Q. A person who is at least eighteen years of age and who is an occupant of an unlicensed premises is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor if the person knowingly hosts on the unlicensed premises a gathering of two or more persons who are under the legal drinking age and if the person knows that one or more of the persons under the legal drinking age are in possession of or consuming spirituous liquor on the unlicensed premises.

R. For the purposes of subsection Q of this section:

  1. "Hosts" means allowing or promoting a party, gathering or event at a person's place of residence or other premises under the person's ownership or control where spirituous liquor is served to, in the possession of or consumed by an underage person.

  2. "Occupant" means a person who has legal possession or the legal right to exclude others from the unlicensed premises.

S. A peace officer shall forward or electronically transfer to the director of the department of transportation the affidavit required by section 28-3310 if the peace officer has arrested a person for committing an offense for which, on conviction, suspension of the license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle is required by section 28-3309, subsection A, B, C or D, or if the peace officer has confiscated a false identification document used by the person to gain access to licensed premises.

T. A person who acts under a program of testing compliance with this title that is approved by the director is not in violation of section 4-244.

U. Law enforcement agencies may use persons who are under the legal drinking age to test compliance with this section and section 4-244, paragraph 9 by a licensee if the law enforcement agency has reasonable suspicion that the licensee is violating this section or section 4-244, paragraph 9. A person who is under the legal drinking age and who purchases or attempts to purchase spirituous liquor under the direction of a law enforcement agency pursuant to this subsection is immune from prosecution for that purchase or attempted purchase. Law enforcement agencies may use a person under the legal drinking age pursuant to this subsection only if:

  1. The person is at least fifteen but not more than nineteen years of age.

  2. The person is not employed on an incentive or quota basis.

  3. The person's appearance is that of a person who is under the legal drinking age.

  4. A photograph of the person is taken not more than twelve hours before the purchase or attempted purchase. The photograph shall accurately depict the person's appearance and attire. A licensee or an employee of a licensee who is cited for selling spirituous liquor to a person under the legal drinking age pursuant to this subsection is allowed to inspect the photograph immediately after the citation is issued. The person's appearance at any trial or administrative hearing that results from a citation shall not be substantially different from the person's appearance at the time the citation was issued.

  5. The person places, receives and pays for the person's order of spirituous liquor. An adult shall not accompany the person onto the premises of the licensee.

  6. The person does not consume any spirituous liquor.

V. The department may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section.

W. In lieu of or in addition to the procedures prescribed in subsection A of this section, a licensee, an employee of the licensee or any other person who questions or has reason to question whether the person ordering, purchasing, attempting to purchase or otherwise procuring or attempting to procure the serving or delivery of spirituous liquor or entering a portion of a licensed premises when the primary use is the sale or service of spirituous liquor is under the legal drinking age, the licensee, employee of the licensee or other person may use a biometric identity verification device to determine the person's age. In any instance where the device indicates the person is under the legal drinking age, the attempted purchase, procurement or entry shall be denied.


A.R.S. § 4-00244

4-244 - Unlawful acts; definition

4-244. Unlawful acts; definition

It is unlawful:

  1. For a person to buy for resale, sell or deal in spirituous liquors in this state without first having procured a license duly issued by the board, except that the director may issue a temporary permit of any series pursuant to section 4-205.05 to a trustee in bankruptcy to acquire and dispose of the spirituous liquor of a debtor.

  2. For a person to sell or deal in alcohol for beverage purposes without first complying with this title.

  3. For a distiller, vintner, brewer or wholesaler knowingly to sell, dispose of or give spirituous liquor to any person other than a licensee except in sampling wares as may be necessary in the ordinary course of business, except in donating spirituous liquor to a nonprofit organization that has obtained a special event license for the purpose of charitable fundraising activities or except in donating spirituous liquor with a cost to the distiller, brewer or wholesaler of up to $500 in a calendar year to an organization that is exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c) (3), (4), (6) or (7) of the internal revenue code and not licensed under this title.

  4. For a distiller, vintner or brewer to require a wholesaler to offer or grant a discount to a retailer, unless the discount has also been offered and granted to the wholesaler by the distiller, vintner or brewer.

  5. For a distiller, vintner or brewer to use a vehicle for trucking or transporting spirituous liquors unless there is affixed to both sides of the vehicle a sign showing the name and address of the licensee and the type and number of the person's license in letters not less than three and one-half inches in height.

  6. For a person to take or solicit orders for spirituous liquors unless the person is a salesman or solicitor of a licensed wholesaler, a salesman or solicitor of a distiller, brewer, vintner, importer or broker or a registered retail agent.

  7. For any retail licensee to purchase spirituous liquors from any person other than a solicitor or salesman of a wholesaler licensed in this state.

  8. For a retailer to acquire an interest in property owned, occupied or used by a wholesaler in the wholesaler's business, or in a license with respect to the premises of the wholesaler.

  9. Except as provided in paragraphs 10 and 11 of this section, for a licensee or other person to sell, furnish, dispose of or give, or cause to be sold, furnished, disposed of or given, to a person under the legal drinking age or for a person under the legal drinking age to buy, receive, have in the person's possession or consume spirituous liquor. This paragraph does not prohibit the employment by an off-sale retailer of persons who are at least sixteen years of age to check out, if supervised by a person on the premises who is at least eighteen years of age, package or carry merchandise, including spirituous liquor, in unbroken packages, for the convenience of the customer of the employer, if the employer sells primarily merchandise other than spirituous liquor.

  10. For a licensee to employ a person under eighteen years of age to manufacture, sell or dispose of spirituous liquors. This paragraph does not prohibit the employment by an off-sale retailer of persons who are at least sixteen years of age to check out, if supervised by a person on the premises who is at least eighteen years of age, package or carry merchandise, including spirituous liquor, in unbroken packages, for the convenience of the customer of the employer, if the employer sells primarily merchandise other than spirituous liquor.

  11. For an on-sale retailer to employ a person under eighteen years of age in any capacity connected with the handling of spirituous liquors. This paragraph does not prohibit the employment by an on-sale retailer of a person under eighteen years of age who cleans up the tables on the premises for reuse, removes dirty dishes, keeps a ready supply of needed items and helps clean up the premises.

  12. For a licensee, when engaged in waiting on or serving customers, to consume spirituous liquor or for a licensee or on-duty employee to be on or about the licensed premises while in an intoxicated or disorderly condition.

  13. For an employee of a retail licensee, during that employee's working hours or in connection with such employment, to give to or purchase for any other person, accept a gift of, purchase for the employee or consume spirituous liquor, except that:

(a) An employee of a licensee, during that employee's working hours or in connection with the employment, while the employee is not engaged in waiting on or serving customers, may give spirituous liquor to or purchase spirituous liquor for any other person.

(b) An employee of an on-sale retail licensee, during that employee's working hours or in connection with the employment, while the employee is not engaged in waiting on or serving customers, may taste samples of beer or wine of not more than four ounces per day or distilled spirits of not more than two ounces per day provided by an employee of a wholesaler or distributor who is present at the time of the sampling.

(c) An employee of an on-sale retail licensee, under the supervision of a manager as part of the employee's training and education, while not engaged in waiting on or serving customers may taste samples of distilled spirits of not more than two ounces per educational session or beer or wine of not more than four ounces per educational session, and provided that a licensee does not have more than two educational sessions in any thirty-day period.

(d) An unpaid volunteer who is a bona fide member of a club and who is not engaged in waiting on or serving spirituous liquor to customers may purchase for himself and consume spirituous liquor while participating in a scheduled event at the club. An unpaid participant in a food competition may purchase for himself and consume spirituous liquor while participating in the food competition.

(e) An unpaid volunteer of a special event licensee under section 4-203.02 may purchase and consume spirituous liquor while not engaged in waiting on or serving spirituous liquor to customers at the special event. This subdivision does not apply to an unpaid volunteer whose responsibilities include verification of a person's legal drinking age, security or the operation of any vehicle or heavy machinery.

(f) A representative of a producer or wholesaler participating at a special event under section 4-203.02 may consume small amounts of the products of the producer or wholesaler on the premises of the special event for the purpose of quality control.

  1. For a licensee or other person to serve, sell or furnish spirituous liquor to a disorderly or obviously intoxicated person, or for a licensee or employee of the licensee to allow a disorderly or obviously intoxicated person to come into or remain on or about the premises, except that a licensee or an employee of the licensee may allow an obviously intoxicated person to remain on the premises for not more than thirty minutes after the state of obvious intoxication is known or should be known to the licensee for a nonintoxicated person to transport the obviously intoxicated person from the premises. For the purposes of this section, "obviously intoxicated" means inebriated to the extent that a person's physical faculties are substantially impaired and the impairment is shown by significantly uncoordinated physical action or significant physical dysfunction that would have been obvious to a reasonable person.

  2. For an on-sale or off-sale retailer or an employee of such retailer or an alcohol delivery contractor to sell, dispose of, deliver or give spirituous liquor to a person between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., except that:

(a) A retailer with off-sale privileges may receive and process orders, accept payment or package, load or otherwise prepare spirituous liquor for delivery at any time, if the actual deliveries to customers are made between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., at which time section 4-241, subsections A and K apply.

(b) The governor, in consultation with the governor's office of highway safety and the public safety community in this state, may issue an executive order that extends the closing time until 3:00 a.m. for spirituous liquor sales in connection with a professional or collegiate national sporting championship event held in this state.

  1. For a licensee or employee to knowingly allow any person on or about the licensed premises to give or furnish any spirituous liquor to any person under twenty-one years of age or knowingly allow any person under twenty-one years of age to have in the person's possession spirituous liquor on the licensed premises.

  2. For an on-sale retailer or an employee of such retailer to allow a person to consume or possess spirituous liquors on the premises between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., except that if the governor extends the closing time for a day for spirituous liquor sales pursuant to paragraph 15 of this section it is unlawful for an on-sale retailer or an employee of such retailer on that day to allow a person to consume or possess spirituous liquor on the premises between the hours of 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

  3. For an on-sale retailer to allow an employee or for an employee to solicit or encourage others, directly or indirectly, to buy the employee drinks or anything of value in the licensed premises during the employee's working hours. An on-sale retailer shall not serve employees or allow a patron of the establishment to give spirituous liquor to, purchase liquor for or drink liquor with any employee during the employee's working hours.

  4. For an off-sale retailer or employee to sell spirituous liquor except in the original unbroken container, to allow spirituous liquor to be consumed on the premises or to knowingly allow spirituous liquor to be consumed on adjacent property under the licensee's exclusive control.

  5. For a person to consume spirituous liquor in a public place, thoroughfare or gathering. The license of a licensee allowing a violation of this paragraph on the premises shall be subject to revocation. This paragraph does not apply to the sale of spirituous liquors on the premises of and by an on-sale retailer. This paragraph also does not apply to a person consuming beer or wine from a broken package in a public recreation area or on private property with permission of the owner or lessor or on the walkways surrounding such private property or to a person consuming beer or wine from a broken package in a public recreation area as part of a special event or festival that is conducted under a license secured pursuant to section 4-203.02 or 4-203.03.

  6. For a person to possess or to transport spirituous liquor that is manufactured in a distillery, winery, brewery or rectifying plant contrary to the laws of the United States and this state. Any property used in transporting such spirituous liquor shall be forfeited to the state and shall be seized and disposed of as provided in section 4-221.

  7. For an on-sale retailer or employee to allow a person under the legal drinking age to remain in an area on the licensed premises during those hours in which its primary use is the sale, dispensing or consumption of alcoholic beverages after the licensee, or the licensee's employees, know or should have known that the person is under the legal drinking age. An on-sale retailer may designate an area of the licensed premises as an area in which spirituous liquor will not be sold or consumed for the purpose of allowing underage persons on the premises if the designated area is separated by a physical barrier and at no time will underage persons have access to the area in which spirituous liquor is sold or consumed. A licensee or an employee of a licensee may require a person who intends to enter a licensed premises or a portion of a licensed premises where persons under the legal drinking age are prohibited under this section to exhibit an instrument of identification that is acceptable under section 4-241 as a condition of entry or may use a biometric identity verification device to determine the person's age as a condition of entry. The director, or a municipality, may adopt rules to regulate the presence of underage persons on licensed premises provided the rules adopted by a municipality are more stringent than those adopted by the director. The rules adopted by the municipality shall be adopted by local ordinance and shall not interfere with the licensee's ability to comply with this paragraph. This paragraph does not apply:

(a) If the person under the legal drinking age is accompanied by a spouse, parent, grandparent or legal guardian of legal drinking age or is an on-duty employee of the licensee.

(b) If the owner, lessee or occupant of the premises is a club as defined in section 4-101, paragraph 8, subdivision (a) and the person under the legal drinking age is any of the following:

(i) An active duty military service member.

(ii) A veteran.

(iii) A member of the United States army national guard or the United States air national guard.

(iv) A member of the United States military reserve forces.

(c) To the area of the premises used primarily for serving food during the hours when food is served.

  1. For an on-sale retailer or employee to conduct drinking contests, to sell or deliver to a person an unlimited number of spirituous liquor beverages during any set period of time for a fixed price, to deliver more than fifty ounces of beer, one liter of wine or four ounces of distilled spirits in any spirituous liquor drink to one person at one time for that person's consumption or to advertise any practice prohibited by this paragraph. This paragraph does not prohibit an on-sale retailer or employee from selling and delivering an opened, original container of distilled spirits if:

(a) Service or pouring of the spirituous liquor is provided by an employee of the on-sale retailer. A licensee shall not be charged for a violation of this paragraph if a customer, without the knowledge of the retailer, removes or tampers with a locking device on a bottle delivered to the customer for bottle service and the customer pours the customer's own drink from the bottle, if when the licensee becomes aware of the removal or tampering of the locking device the licensee immediately installs a functioning locking device on the bottle or removes the bottle and lock from bottle service.

(b) The employee of the on-sale retailer monitors consumption to ensure compliance with this paragraph. Locking devices may be used, but are not required.

  1. For a licensee or employee to knowingly allow the unlawful possession, use, sale or offer for sale of narcotics, dangerous drugs or marijuana on the premises. For the purposes of this paragraph, "dangerous drug" has the same meaning prescribed in section 13-3401.

  2. For a licensee or employee to knowingly allow prostitution or the solicitation of prostitution on the premises.

  3. For a licensee or employee to knowingly allow unlawful gambling on the premises.

  4. For a licensee or employee to knowingly allow trafficking or attempted trafficking in stolen property on the premises.

  5. For a licensee or employee to fail or refuse to make the premises or records available for inspection and examination as provided in this title or to comply with a lawful subpoena issued under this title.

  6. For any person other than a peace officer while on duty or off duty or a member of a sheriff's volunteer posse while on duty who has received firearms training that is approved by the Arizona peace officer standards and training board, a retired peace officer as defined in section 38-1113 or an honorably retired law enforcement officer who has been issued a certificate of firearms proficiency pursuant to section 13-3112, subsection T, the licensee or an employee of the licensee acting with the permission of the licensee to be in possession of a firearm while on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer. This paragraph does not include a situation in which a person is on licensed premises for a limited time in order to seek emergency aid and such person does not buy, receive, consume or possess spirituous liquor. This paragraph does not apply to:

(a) Hotel or motel guest room accommodations.

(b) Exhibiting or displaying a firearm in conjunction with a meeting, show, class or similar event.

(c) A person with a permit issued pursuant to section 13-3112 who carries a concealed handgun on the licensed premises of any on-sale retailer that has not posted a notice pursuant to section 4-229.

  1. For a licensee or employee to knowingly allow a person in possession of a firearm other than a peace officer while on duty or off duty or a member of a sheriff's volunteer posse while on duty who has received firearms training that is approved by the Arizona peace officer standards and training board, a retired peace officer as defined in section 38-1113 or an honorably retired law enforcement officer who has been issued a certificate of firearms proficiency pursuant to section 13-3112, subsection T, the licensee or an employee of the licensee acting with the permission of the licensee to remain on the licensed premises or to serve, sell or furnish spirituous liquor to a person in possession of a firearm while on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer. It is a defense to action under this paragraph if the licensee or employee requested assistance of a peace officer to remove such person. This paragraph does not apply to:

(a) Hotel or motel guest room accommodations.

(b) Exhibiting or displaying a firearm in conjunction with a meeting, show, class or similar event.

(c) A person with a permit issued pursuant to section 13-3112 who carries a concealed handgun on the licensed premises of any on-sale retailer that has not posted a notice pursuant to section 4-229.

  1. For any person in possession of a firearm while on the licensed premises of an on-sale retailer to consume spirituous liquor. This paragraph does not prohibit the consumption of small amounts of spirituous liquor by an undercover peace officer on assignment to investigate the licensed establishment.

  2. For a licensee or employee to knowingly allow spirituous liquor to be removed from the licensed premises, except in the original unbroken package. This paragraph does not apply to any of the following:

(a) A person who removes a bottle of wine that has been partially consumed in conjunction with a purchased meal from licensed premises if a cork is inserted flush with the top of the bottle or the bottle is otherwise securely closed.

(b) A person who is in licensed premises that have noncontiguous portions that are separated by a public or private walkway or driveway and who takes spirituous liquor from one portion of the licensed premises across the public or private walkway or driveway directly to the other portion of the licensed premises.

(c) A licensee of a bar, beer and wine bar, liquor store, beer and wine store, microbrewery or restaurant that has a permit pursuant to section 4-205.02, subsection H that dispenses beer only in a clean container composed of a material approved by a national sanitation organization with a maximum capacity that does not exceed one gallon and not for consumption on the premises if:

(i) The licensee or the licensee's employee fills the container at the tap at the time of sale.

(ii) The container is sealed and displays a government warning label.

(d) A bar or liquor store licensee that prepares a mixed cocktail or a restaurant licensee that leases the privilege to sell mixed cocktails for consumption off the licensed premises pursuant to section 4-203.06 or holds a permit pursuant to section 4-203.07 and section 4-205.02, subsection K and that prepares a mixed cocktail and transfers it to a clean container composed of a material approved by a national sanitation organization with a maximum capacity that does not exceed thirty-two ounces and not for consumption on the premises if all of the following apply:

(i) The licensee or licensee's employee fills the container with the mixed cocktail on the licensed premises of the bar, liquor store or restaurant.

(ii) The container is tamperproof sealed by the licensee or the licensee's employee and displays a government warning label.

(iii) The container clearly displays the bar's, liquor store's or restaurant's logo or name.

(iv) For a restaurant licensee licensed pursuant to section 4-205.02, the sale of mixed cocktails for consumption off the licensed premises is accompanied by the sale of menu food items for consumption on or off the licensed premises.

  1. For a person who is obviously intoxicated to buy or attempt to buy spirituous liquor from a licensee or employee of a licensee or to consume spirituous liquor on licensed premises.

  2. For a person who is under twenty-one years of age to drive or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while there is any spirituous liquor in the person's body.

  3. For a person who is under twenty-one years of age to operate or be in physical control of a motorized watercraft that is underway while there is any spirituous liquor in the person's body. For the purposes of this paragraph, "underway" has the same meaning prescribed in section 5-301.

  4. For a licensee, manager, employee or controlling person to purposely induce a voter, by means of alcohol, to vote or abstain from voting for or against a particular candidate or issue on an election day.

  5. For a licensee to fail to report an occurrence of an act of violence to either the department or a law enforcement agency.

  6. For a licensee to use a vending machine for the purpose of dispensing spirituous liquor.

  7. For a licensee to offer for sale a wine carrying a label including a reference to Arizona or any Arizona city, town or geographic location unless at least seventy-five percent by volume of the grapes used in making the wine were grown in Arizona.

  8. For a retailer to knowingly allow a customer to bring spirituous liquor onto the licensed premises, except that an on-sale retailer may allow a wine and food club to bring wine onto the premises for consumption by the club's members and guests of the club's members in conjunction with meals purchased at a meeting of the club that is conducted on the premises and that at least seven members attend. An on-sale retailer that allows wine and food clubs to bring wine onto its premises under this paragraph shall comply with all applicable provisions of this title and any rules adopted pursuant to this title to the same extent as if the on-sale retailer had sold the wine to the members of the club and their guests. For the purposes of this paragraph, "wine and food club" means an association that has more than twenty bona fide members paying at least $6 per year in dues and that has been in existence for at least one year.

  9. For a person who is under twenty-one years of age to have in the person's body any spirituous liquor. In a prosecution for a violation of this paragraph:

(a) Pursuant to section 4-249, it is a defense that the spirituous liquor was consumed in connection with the bona fide practice of a religious belief or as an integral part of a religious exercise and in a manner not dangerous to public health or safety.

(b) Pursuant to section 4-226, it is a defense that the spirituous liquor was consumed for a bona fide medicinal purpose and in a manner not dangerous to public health or safety.

  1. For an employee of a licensee to accept any gratuity, compensation, remuneration or consideration of any kind to either:

(a) Allow a person who is under twenty-one years of age to enter any portion of the premises where that person is prohibited from entering pursuant to paragraph 22 of this section.

(b) Sell, furnish, dispose of or give spirituous liquor to a person who is under twenty-one years of age.

  1. For a person to purchase, offer for sale or use any device, machine or process that mixes spirituous liquor with pure oxygen or another gas to produce a vaporized product for the purpose of consumption by inhalation or to allow patrons to use any item for the consumption of vaporized spirituous liquor.

  2. For a retail licensee or an employee of a retail licensee to sell spirituous liquor to a person if the retail licensee or employee knows the person intends to resell the spirituous liquor.

  3. Except as authorized by paragraph 32, subdivision (c) of this section, for a person to reuse a bottle or other container authorized for use by the laws of the United States or any agency of the United States for the packaging of distilled spirits or for a person to increase the original contents or a portion of the original contents remaining in a liquor bottle or other authorized container by adding any substance.

  4. For a direct shipment licensee, a farm winery licensee or an employee of those licensees to sell, dispose of, deliver or give spirituous liquor to an individual purchaser between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., except that a direct shipment licensee or a farm winery licensee may receive and process orders, accept payment, package, load or otherwise prepare wine for delivery at any time without complying with section 4-241, subsections A and K, if the actual deliveries to individual purchasers are made between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. and in accordance with section 4-203.04 for direct shipment licensees and section 4-205.04 for farm winery licensees.

  5. For a supplier to coerce or attempt to coerce a wholesaler to accept delivery of beer or any other commodity that has not been ordered by the wholesaler or for which the order was canceled. A supplier may impose reasonable inventory requirements on a wholesaler if the requirements are made in good faith and are generally applied to other similarly situated wholesalers that have an agreement with the supplier.


A.R.S. § 4-00311

4-311 - Liability for serving intoxicated person or minor; definition

4-311. Liability for serving intoxicated person or minor; definition

A. A licensee is liable for property damage and personal injuries or is liable to a person who may bring an action for wrongful death pursuant to section 12-612, or both, if a court or jury finds all of the following:

  1. The licensee sold spirituous liquor either to a purchaser who was obviously intoxicated, or to a purchaser under the legal drinking age without requesting identification containing proof of age or with knowledge that the person was under the legal drinking age.Â

  2. The purchaser consumed the spirituous liquor sold by the licensee.

  3. The consumption of spirituous liquor was a proximate cause of the injury, death or property damage.

B. No licensee is chargeable with knowledge of previous acts by which a person becomes intoxicated at other locations unknown to the licensee unless the person was obviously intoxicated. If the licensee operates under a restaurant license, the finder of fact shall not consider any information obtained as a result of a restaurant audit conducted pursuant to section 4-213 unless the court finds the information relevant.

C. For the purposes of subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section, if it is found that an underage person purchased spirituous liquor from a licensee and such underage person incurs or causes injuries or property damage as a result of the consumption of spirituous liquor within a reasonable period of time following the sale of the spirituous liquor, it shall create a rebuttable presumption that the underage person consumed the spirituous liquor sold to such person by the licensee.

D. For the purposes of this section, "obviously intoxicated" means inebriated to such an extent that a person's physical faculties are substantially impaired and the impairment is shown by significantly uncoordinated physical action or significant physical dysfunction that would have been obvious to a reasonable person.


A.R.S. § 5-00301

5-301 - Definitions

5-301. Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

  1. "Commercial motorized watercraft" means a motorized watercraft that carries passengers or property for a valuable consideration that is paid to the owner, charterer, operator or agent or to any other person interested in the watercraft.

  2. "Commission" means the Arizona game and fish commission.

  3. "Department" means the Arizona game and fish department.

  4. "Documented watercraft" means any watercraft currently registered as a watercraft of the United States pursuant to 46 Code of Federal Regulations part 67.

  5. "Domicile" means a person's true, fixed and permanent home and principal residence, proof of which may be demonstrated as prescribed by rules adopted by the commission.

  6. "Launch" means any motorized watercraft that carries a coach and that is used to follow and monitor rowing shells during practice, training or competitive rowing events.

  7. "Motorboat" means any watercraft that is not more than sixty-five feet in length and that is propelled by machinery whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion.

  8. "Motorized watercraft" means any watercraft that is propelled by machinery whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion.

  9. "Nonresident" means a citizen of the United States or an alien person who is not domiciled in this state and who is not a resident as defined in this section.

  10. "Operate" means to operate or be in actual physical control of a watercraft while on public waters.

  11. "Operator" means a person who operates or is in actual physical control of a watercraft.

  12. "Person" includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership or association, and any agent, assignee, trustee, executor, receiver or representative thereof.

  13. "Public waters" means any body of water that is publicly owned or that the public is allowed to use without permission of the owner on which a motorized watercraft can be navigated, including that part of waters that is common to interstate boundaries and that is within the boundaries of this state.

  14. "Resident" means a person who is either:

(a) A member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty and stationed in this state for a period of thirty days immediately before the date of application for a watercraft decal.

(b) A member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty and stationed in another state or another country and who lists this state as that member's home of record at the time of an application for a watercraft decal.

(c) Domiciled in this state for at least six consecutive months immediately before the date of the application for a watercraft decal and who does not claim residency for any purpose in any other state or country.

  1. "Revocation" means invalidating the certificate of number, numbers and annual validation decals issued by the department to a watercraft and prohibiting the operation of the watercraft on the waters of this state during a period of noncompliance with this chapter.

  2. "Rowing shell" means a manually propelled watercraft that is recognized by a national racing association for use in practice, training or competitive rowing.

  3. "Sailboard" means any board of less than fifteen feet in length that is designed to be propelled by wind action on a sail for navigation on the water by a person operating the board.

  4. "Special anchorage area" means an area set aside and under the control of a federal, state or local governmental agency, or by a duly authorized marina operator or concessionaire for the mooring, anchoring or docking of watercraft.

  5. "State of principal operation" means the state where a watercraft is primarily used, navigated or employed.

  6. "Underway" means a watercraft that is not at anchor, is not made fast to the shore or is not aground.

  7. "Undocumented watercraft" means any watercraft that does not have and is not required to have a valid marine document as a watercraft of the United States.

  8. "Wakeless speed" means a speed that does not cause the watercraft to create a wake, but in no case in excess of five miles per hour.

  9. "Watercraft" means any boat designed to be propelled by machinery, oars, paddles or wind action on a sail for navigation on the water, or as may be defined by rule of the commission.

  10. "Waterway" means any body of water, public or private, on which a watercraft can be navigated.


A.R.S. § 5-00321

5-321 - Numbering; registration fees; exemption from taxation; penalty; procedures

5-321. Numbering; registration fees; exemption from taxation; penalty; procedures

A. Except as provided in section 5-322, the owner of each motorized watercraft requiring numbering by this state shall file an application for a registration number with the department, or its agent, on forms approved by the department. Except as provided by rule adopted by the commission, the application shall be signed by the owner of the motorized watercraft and shall be accompanied by a registration fee. After the effective date of this amendment to this section, the commission shall establish by rule a registration fee for each motorized watercraft requiring numbering by this state.

B. Pursuant to article IX, section 16, Constitution of Arizona, watercraft are exempt from ad valorem property tax and from license taxes in lieu of property tax.

C. The length of the motorized watercraft shall be measured from the most forward part of the bow excluding the bowsprit or jibboom, over the centerline to the rearmost part of the transom excluding sheer, outboard motor, rudder, handles or other attachments.

D. The commission may assess an additional registration fee, to be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the registration fee imposed by subsection A of this section. The amount of the additional fee shall be determined by the commission and may be imposed in different amounts with respect to resident and nonresident owners. An additional registration fee under this subsection is to be used solely for the purpose of the lower Colorado river multispecies conservation program under section 48-3713.03.

E. On receipt of the application in approved form with the applicable fees, the department or its agent shall enter the application on the records of its office and issue to the applicant two current annual decals and a certificate of number stating the number issued to the watercraft and the name and address of the owner. The owner shall display the assigned number and the current annual decals in such manner as may be prescribed by rules of the commission. The number and decals shall be maintained in legible condition. The certificate of number or commission approved proof of valid certificate of number, except as provided in section 5-371, shall be available at all times for inspection by a peace officer whenever the watercraft is in operation. No number issued by another state or the United States coast guard, unless granted exemption or exception pursuant to this chapter, shall be displayed on the watercraft.

F. No person may operate a motorized watercraft on the waterways of this state unless the watercraft displays the assigned number and current annual decals or the person is in possession of a valid thirty-day temporary registration as prescribed by this article.

G. No motorized watercraft shall be purchased, sold or otherwise transferred without assignment by the owner of the current numbering certificate or other documentation as may be prescribed by rules of the commission. Within fifteen days after such transfer, the person to whom such transfer is made shall make application to the department to have the motorized watercraft registered in the person's name by the department, for which the department shall charge a transfer fee as prescribed in rule by the commission. The department shall not issue or transfer a numbering certificate for a motorized watercraft to a person who is subject to the use tax under title 42, chapter 5, article 4 unless the applicable tax has been paid as shown by a receipt from the collecting officer. Persons doing business as marine dealers and licensed as such by this state are not required to register in their name any watercraft in their possession that may be offered for resale.

H. In the event of the loss or destruction of the certificate of number or annual decal, the department shall issue a duplicate to the owner on payment of a fee as prescribed in rule by the commission.

I. The department may issue any certificate of number directly or may authorize any person to act as agent for the issuance of the certificate of number in conformity with this chapter and with any rules of the commission. An agent that contracts with the commission to renew certificates of number by telecommunication may impose additional fees for the services as provided in the contract.

J. The owner shall furnish to the department notice of the transfer of all or any part of the owner's interest other than the creation of a security interest in a motorized watercraft numbered in this state pursuant to this chapter or of the destruction or abandonment of such watercraft within fifteen days. Such transfer, destruction or abandonment shall terminate the certificate of number of such watercraft, except that in the case of a transfer of a part interest that does not affect the owner's right to operate such watercraft, the transfer shall not terminate the certificate of number.

K. Any holder of a certificate of number shall notify the department within fifteen days if the holder's address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the certificate and, as a part of such notification, shall furnish the department with the holder's new address. The commission may provide in its rules for the surrender of the certificate bearing the former address and its replacement with a certificate bearing the new address or the alteration of an outstanding certificate to show the new address of the holder.

L. On renewal of any motorized watercraft registration that has not been renewed by the current expiration date, the department shall assess a penalty unless the watercraft ownership has been transferred and the watercraft was not registered subsequent to the expiration date. The commission shall establish the penalty by rule. If more than twelve months have lapsed since the expiration date of the last registration or renewal, the penalty and back fees are waived.


A.R.S. § 5-00324

5-324 - Public records; identification of requester; supplying information by mail; records custodians; certification of records

5-324. Public records; identification of requester; supplying information by mail; records custodians; certification of records

A. All records of the department made or kept pursuant to this article are public records.

B. The department shall furnish information or copies from the records kept pursuant to this section subject to sections 39-121.01 and 39-121.03.

C. Persons requesting a copy of a public record pursuant to this section shall identify themselves and state the reason for making the request. The department shall verify the name and address of the person making the request by requiring the person to produce necessary information to ensure that the information given is true and correct.

D. The department shall not divulge any information from a watercraft registration record unless the person requesting the information provides the following:

  1. The name of the owner.

  2. The hull identification number of the watercraft.

  3. The department-issued number assigned to the watercraft.

E. The procedures required by subsections C and D of this section do not apply to:

  1. This state or any of its departments, agencies or political subdivisions.

  2. A court.

  3. A law enforcement officer.

  4. A licensed private investigator.

  5. Financial institutions and enterprises under the jurisdiction of the department of insurance and financial institutions or a federal monetary authority.

  6. The federal government or any of its agencies.

  7. An attorney admitted to practice in this state who alleges the information is relevant to any pending or potential court proceeding.

  8. An operator of a self-service storage facility located in this state who alleges both of the following:

(a) That the watercraft on which the operator is requesting the record is in the operator's possession.

(b) That the record is requested to allow the operator to notify the registered owner and any lienholders of record of the operator's intent to foreclose its lien and to sell the watercraft.

  1. A towing company located in this state that alleges both of the following:

(a) That the watercraft on which the towing company is requesting the record is in the towing company's possession.

(b) That the record is requested to allow the towing company to notify the registered owner and any lienholders of record, if known, of the towing company's intent to sell the watercraft.

  1. An insurance company.

F. The department may supply the requested information by mail or telecommunications.

G. The director may designate as custodian of the department's public records those department employees the director deems necessary. If a public record of the department has been certified by a records custodian and authenticated as required under proof of records (records of public officials), rules of civil procedure and the rules of evidence for courts in this state, it is admissible in evidence without further foundation.

H. Notwithstanding subsection D of this section, information may be supplied for commercial purposes, as defined in section 39-121.03, if the information is transmitted in a machine-readable form such as computer magnetic tape to the person making the request.

I. The department shall maintain for a period of at least one year a file of requests for information that shall be maintained by the name of the person whose record was requested, except those requests made by government agencies.


A.R.S. § 5-00395

5-395 - Operating or in actual physical control of a motorized watercraft while under the influence; violation; classification; definition

5-395. Operating or in actual physical control of a motorized watercraft while under the influence; violation; classification; definition

A. It is unlawful for any person to operate or be in actual physical control of a motorized watercraft that is underway within this state under any of the following circumstances:

  1. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor releasing substances if the person is impaired to the slightest degree.

  2. If the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of operating or being in actual physical control of the motorized watercraft and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed either before or while operating or being in actual physical control of the motorized watercraft.

  3. While there is any drug as defined in section 13-3401 or its metabolite in the person's body.

  4. If the motorized watercraft is a commercial motorized watercraft and the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more.

B. It is not a defense to a charge of a violation of subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section that the person is or has been entitled to use the drug under the laws of this state.

C. A person using a drug prescribed by a medical practitioner who is licensed pursuant to title 32 and who is authorized to prescribe the drug is not guilty of violating subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section.

D. The state shall not dismiss a charge of violating this section for either of the following:

  1. In return for a plea of guilty or no contest to any other offense by the person charged with the violation of this section.

  2. For the purpose of pursuing any other misdemeanor or a petty offense, including those arising out of the same event or course of conduct, unless there is clearly an insufficient legal or factual basis to pursue the charge of violating this section.

E. In any prosecution for a violation of this section the state, for the purpose of classification and sentencing pursuant to section 5-395.01 or 5-396, shall allege all prior convictions of violating this section occurring within the past eighty-four months, unless there is clearly an insufficient legal or factual basis to do so.

F. In a trial, action or proceeding for a violation of this section or section 5-396 other than a trial, action or proceeding involving operating or being in actual physical control of a commercial motorized watercraft, the defendant's alcohol concentration within two hours of the time of operating or being in actual physical control as shown by analysis of the defendant's blood, breath or other bodily substance gives rise to the following presumptions:

  1. If there was at that time 0.05 or less alcohol concentration in the defendant's blood, breath or other bodily substance, it may be presumed that the defendant was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

  2. If there was at that time in excess of 0.05 but less than 0.08 alcohol concentration in the defendant's blood, breath or other bodily substance, such fact shall not give rise to any presumption that the defendant was or was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor, but such fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

  3. If there was at that time 0.08 or more alcohol concentration in the defendant's blood, breath or other bodily substance, it may be presumed that the defendant was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

G. Subsection F of this section shall not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing on the question of whether or not the defendant was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

H. If a blood test is administered, only a physician, a registered nurse or another qualified person may withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcohol concentration or drug content. The qualifications of the individual withdrawing the blood and the method used to withdraw the blood are not foundational prerequisites for the admissibility of any blood alcohol content determination made pursuant to this subsection.

I. If a law enforcement officer administers a duplicate breath test and the person tested is given a reasonable opportunity to arrange for an additional test pursuant to subsection J of this section, a sample of the person's breath does not have to be collected or preserved.

J. The person tested shall be given a reasonable opportunity to arrange for any physician, registered nurse or other qualified person of the tested person's own choosing to administer a test or tests in addition to any administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer. The failure or inability to obtain an additional test by a person does not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the test or tests taken at the direction of a law enforcement officer.

K. If a person under arrest refuses to submit to a test or tests under section 5-395.03, whether or not a sample was collected pursuant to subsection L of this section or a search warrant, evidence of refusal is admissible in any civil or criminal action or other proceeding. The issue of refusal shall be an issue of fact to be determined by the trier of fact in all cases.

L. Notwithstanding any other law, if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a person has violated this section and a sample of blood, urine or any other bodily substance is taken from that person for any reason a portion of that sample sufficient for analysis shall be provided to a law enforcement officer if requested for law enforcement purposes. A person who fails to comply with this subsection is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

M. A person who collects blood, urine or any other bodily substance under this section or any hospital, laboratory or clinic employing or using the services of the person does not incur any civil liability as a result of this activity if requested by a law enforcement officer to collect blood, urine or any other bodily substances unless the person, while performing the activity, acts with gross negligence.

N. A statement by the defendant that the defendant was operating a motorized watercraft that was underway and that was involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person is admissible in any criminal proceeding without further proof of corpus delicti if it is otherwise admissible.

O. At the arraignment, the court shall inform the defendant that the defendant may request a trial by jury and that the request, if made, shall be granted.

P. For the purposes of this section, "alcohol concentration" means grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath.


A.R.S. § 5-00575

5-575 - Prizes; setoff for debts to state agencies; definitions

5-575. Prizes; setoff for debts to state agencies; definitions

A. The commission shall establish a liability setoff program by which state lottery prize payments pursuant to section 5-573 may be used to satisfy debts which a person owes this state. The program shall comply with the standards and requirements prescribed by this section.

B. If a person owes an agency a debt, an agency may notify the commission, furnishing at least the state agency or program identifier, the first name, last name, middle initial and social security number of the debtor, and the amount of the debt. This information shall be in the form the commission prescribes. Each agency shall certify the information and update the information monthly. No information may be transmitted by the department of revenue to the commission if the transmission would violate title 42, chapter 2, article 1.

C. The commission shall match the information submitted by the agency with persons who are entitled to a state lottery prize payment in an amount of six hundred dollars or more. If there is a match, the commission shall set off the amount of the debt from the prize due and notify the person of the person's right to appeal to the appropriate court, or to request a review by the agency pursuant to agency rule. The person shall make such a request or appeal within thirty days after the setoff. If the setoff accounts for only a portion of the prize due, the remainder of the prize shall be paid to the person. The commission shall promptly transfer the setoff, less the amount of the commission's fee, to the agency.

D. If a person requests a review by the agency or provides the agency with proof that an appeal has been taken to the appropriate court within thirty days after the setoff and it is determined that the setoff was made in error under this section, the agency shall reimburse the person with interest as determined pursuant to section 42-1123.

E. The basis for a request for review shall not include the validity of the claim if its validity has been established at an agency hearing, by judicial review in a court of competent jurisdiction in this or any other state or by final administrative decision and shall state with specificity why the person claims the obligation does not exist or why the amount of the obligation is incorrect.

F. The commission may prescribe a fee to be collected from each agency utilizing the setoff procedure. The amount of the fee shall reasonably reflect the actual cost of the service provided.

G. If agencies have two or more delinquent accounts for the same person, the commission shall apportion the prize equally among them, except that a setoff to the department of economic security for overdue support has priority over all other setoffs.

H. If the prize is insufficient to satisfy the entire debt, the remainder of the debt may be collected by the agency as provided by law or resubmitted for setoff against any other prize awarded.

I. An agency shall not enter into an agreement with a debtor for the assignment of any prospective prize to the agency in satisfaction of the debt.

J. In this section:

  1. "Agency" means a department, agency, board, commission or institution of this state. Agency also means a corporation under contract with this state that provides a service that would otherwise be provided by a department, agency, board, commission or institution of this state if the contract specifically authorizes participation in the liability setoff program and the attorney general's office has reviewed the contract and approves of such authorization. The participation in the liability setoff program is limited to debts related to the services the corporation provides for or on behalf of this state.

  2. "Debt" means an amount over one hundred dollars owed to an agency by a person and may include interest, penalties, charges, costs, fees or any other amount. Debt also includes monies owed by a person for overdue support and referred to the department of economic security for collection.

  3. "Overdue support" means a delinquency in court ordered payments for support or maintenance of a child or for spousal maintenance to the parent with whom the child is living if child support is also being enforced pursuant to an assignment or application filed under 42 United States Code section 654(6).


A.R.S. § 6-00101

6-101 - Definitions

6-101. Definitions

In this title, unless the context otherwise requires:

  1. "Automated teller machine" means an automated device that is established by a bank, savings and loan association or credit union and that facilitates customer-bank communications activities, including taking deposits and disbursing cash drawn against a customer's deposit account or a customer's preapproved loan account, at a location separate from the home office or a branch.

  2. "Bank" means a corporation that holds a banking permit issued pursuant to chapter 2 of this title.

  3. "Banking office" means any place of business of the bank at which deposits are received, checks are paid or money is loaned but does not include the premises used for computer operations, proofing, record keeping, accounting, storage, maintenance or other administrative or service functions.

  4. "Branch" means any banking office other than the principal banking office.

  5. "Department" means the department of insurance and financial institutions.

  6. "Deputy director" means the deputy director of the financial institutions division of the department.

  7. "Director" has the same meaning prescribed in section 20-102.

  8. "Division" means the financial institutions division within the department.

  9. "Enterprise" means any person under the jurisdiction of the department other than a financial institution.

  10. "Federal deposit insurance corporation" includes any successor to the corporation or other agency or instrumentality of the United States that undertakes to discharge the purposes of the corporation.

  11. "Financial institution" means banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, credit unions, consumer lenders, international banking facilities and financial institution holding companies under the jurisdiction of the department.

  12. "Home state" means the state that has granted the bank its charter, permit or license to operate.

  13. "Host state" means the state in which a financial institution is doing business and not the state that has granted the bank its charter, permit or license to operate.

  14. "In-state financial institution" means a state or federal bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or holding company with its home office located in this state.

  15. "International banking facility" means a facility that is represented by a set of asset and liability accounts segregated on the books and records of a commercial bank, the principal office of which is located in this state, and that is incorporated and doing business under the laws of the United States or of this state, a United States branch or agency of a foreign bank, an edge corporation organized under section 25(a) of the federal reserve act (12 United States Code sections 611 through 631) or an agreement corporation having an agreement or undertaking with the board of governors of the federal reserve system under section 25 of the federal reserve act (12 United States Code sections 601 through 604(a)) that includes only international banking facility time deposits and international banking facility extensions of credit as defined in 12 Code of Federal Regulations part 204.

  16. "National credit union administration" includes any successor to the organization or other agency or instrumentality of the United States that undertakes to discharge the purposes of the organization.

  17. "Out-of-state bank" means a bank, savings bank or savings and loan association that is approved by the deputy director pursuant to section 6-322 and that has a charter, a permit or any other license to operate that is issued by a state other than this state.

  18. "Out-of-state financial institution" means a state or federal bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or holding company with its home office in a state other than this state.

  19. "Title" includes this title, title 32, chapters 9 and 36 and title 44, chapter 2.1.


A.R.S. § 6-00472

6-472 - Final distribution and dissolution

6-472. Final distribution and dissolution

When all assets have been liquidated and all expenses, claims and holders of withdrawable capital have been paid, dissolution of the association shall be accomplished in the following manner:

  1. The liquidators shall file with the deputy director the duly verified final report of their acts and proposed final distribution.

  2. On the deputy director's approval of the final report, the liquidators shall publish notice of the proposed final distribution and shall allow any holder of shares of guaranty capital to examine the records of the association to ascertain the holder's proper share of such distribution. Any such shareholder who fails to commence, before the date fixed for final distribution, appropriate judicial proceedings to contest such distribution, shall be barred from contesting the same thereafter. The liquidators shall proceed to make final distribution on the date fixed therefor, except that such distribution shall be deferred until final disposition of any pending judicial action affecting the distribution, and payment, of any judgment entered therein.

  3. When final distribution has been made, except as to any money due to, but unclaimed by, any creditor, member, or other person, the liquidators shall deposit such unclaimed money with the deputy director, for payment to the person or persons entitled thereto on application and proof of right as provided by law.

  4. The liquidators also shall deliver to the deputy director all books of account and other records of the association, for preservation for at least two years and destruction thereafter as provided by law.

  5. On completion of the foregoing procedure, the liquidators shall be discharged. The deputy director thereupon shall issue a certificate of dissolution of the association and shall file a copy thereof with the corporation commission and record a copy in the office of the county recorder of each county in which the original articles of incorporation were recorded. On such filing and recording, the dissolution shall be effective. No fees shall be required for such filing and recording.


A.R.S. § 6-00490

6-490 - Time of giving consents; jurisdiction of court

6-490. Time of giving consents; jurisdiction of court

A. The consents required by section 6-489 may be given before the plan is presented to the court, or after the presentation and before the court has approved it, or after approval. If, at the time the plan is approved by the court, the required consents have not been given, the order of court may provide that on satisfactory proof of the fact that the required consents have been given, a further order may be entered ex parte providing that the plan shall become operative which shall be binding on the deputy director, the association, all holders of accounts and of shares of guaranty capital, creditors, and all other persons affected thereby.

B. The superior court in which the petition is pending is given jurisdiction to determine all questions required to be determined in respect to any plan including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:

  1. Whether a plan, either in its original or modified form, is fair and equitable.

  2. Whether it discriminates in favor of any class of holders of accounts, creditors or other persons affected thereby.

  3. Whether it is feasible.

  4. Whether the terms and conditions of the proposed issuance and exchange of securities thereunder are fair and to approve or disapprove the terms and conditions.

  5. The total liabilities of the association.

  6. The conditions requisite to the plan becoming operative, including jurisdiction to determine, for the purposes of the plan and the consents, the division of the creditors and other persons affected by the plan into classes according to the nature of their respective claims and interests.


A.R.S. § 6-00507

6-507 - Certificate of approval; filing with corporation commission; certificate of incorporation

6-507. Certificate of approval; filing with corporation commission; certificate of incorporation

A. The deputy director shall act on the completed application within sixty days. The deputy director shall issue a certificate of approval if the certificate of organization and the bylaws are in conformity with this chapter and the deputy director is satisfied that all of the following are true:

  1. The field of membership, the bylaws and the business plan are favorable to the economic viability of the proposed credit union.

  2. The reputation, character and financial experience of the initial board of directors and supervisory committee provide assurance that the credit union's affairs will be properly administered.

  3. The share and deposit accounts of the credit union will be insured by an insuring organization when the credit union commences business.

B. On receipt of the deputy director's certificate of approval the incorporators shall file the certificate of organization, with the certificate of approval attached, with the corporation commission and record a certified copy of the filing under the seal of the commission with the county recorder of the county or counties in which the credit union is to do business. On proof of the recording, the corporation commission shall issue a certificate of incorporation to the credit union. The credit union shall forward a certified copy of the certificate of incorporation showing the filing and recording to the deputy director.

C. The credit union shall also file with the corporation commission the appointment of an agent on whom service of process may be made. The incorporators shall then be deemed a credit union, incorporated in accordance with this chapter.

D. If a certificate of approval is denied, the deputy director shall notify the incorporators and set forth the reasons for the denial.


A.R.S. § 6-00587

6-587 - Merger or consolidation of credit unions

6-587. Merger or consolidation of credit unions

A. Any two or more credit unions may merge or consolidate into a single credit union. The merger or consolidation may be with a credit union organized under the laws of this state, the laws of any other state or territory of the United States or the laws of the United States.

B. If two or more credit unions merge, they shall either designate one of them as the continuing credit union or they shall structure a totally new credit union and designate it as the new credit union. All participating credit unions other than the continuing or new credit union shall be designated as merging credit unions.

C. Any merger of credit unions shall be done according to a plan of merger. After approval by the boards of directors of all participating credit unions, the plan shall be submitted to the deputy director for preliminary approval. If the plan includes the creation of a new credit union, all documents required by section 6-506 shall be submitted as part of the plan. In addition, each participating credit union shall submit the following:

  1. The time and place of the meeting of the board of directors at which the plan was agreed on.

  2. The vote of the directors in favor of the adoption of the plan.

  3. A copy of the resolution or other action by which the plan was agreed on.

D. The deputy director shall grant preliminary approval if the plan has been approved properly by each board of directors, if the documentation required to form a new credit union, if any, complies with section 6-506 and if the deputy director is of the opinion that the merged or continuing credit union should be approved.

E. After the deputy director grants preliminary approval, each merging credit union shall conduct a membership vote on its participation in the plan. The credit union shall conduct the vote either at a special membership meeting called for that purpose or by mail ballot. If a majority of the members voting approves the plan, the credit union shall submit a record of that fact to the deputy director indicating the vote by which the members approved the plan and either the time and place of the membership meeting or the mailing date and closing date of the mail ballot.

F. The deputy director shall grant final approval of the plan of merger after determining that the requirements of subsection E of this section in the case of each merging credit union have been met and if proof of insurance of accounts, as required by section 6-558, has been furnished. The deputy director shall notify all participating credit unions of the deputy director's action on the plan. If approved, the continuing credit union shall file copies of the certificate showing the approval of the deputy director with the corporation commission and a certified copy of the filing under the seal of the commission recorded with the county recorder of the county in which each credit union participating in the merger has its principal place of business with a copy filed with the deputy director. When the copies have been filed the merged credit union terminates as a legal entity, and the continuing credit union remains and continues in operation.

G. On final approval of the plan by the deputy director, all property, property rights and members' interests in each merging credit union vest in the continuing or new credit union as applicable without deed, endorsement or other instrument of transfer, and all debts, obligations and liabilities of each merging credit union are deemed to have been assumed by the continuing or new credit union. The rights and privileges of the members of each participating credit union remain intact, except that if a person is a member of more than one of the participating credit unions that person is entitled to only a single set of membership rights in the continuing or new credit union.

H. If the continuing or new credit union is chartered by another state or territory of the United States, it is subject to the requirements of section 6-511.

I. Notwithstanding any other law, the deputy director may authorize a merger or consolidation of a credit union that is insolvent or is in danger of insolvency with any other credit union or may authorize a credit union to purchase any of the assets or assume any of the liabilities of any other credit union that is insolvent or in danger of insolvency if the deputy director is satisfied that:

  1. An emergency requiring expeditious action exists with respect to the other credit union.

  2. Other alternatives are not reasonably available.

  3. The public interest would best be served by approval of the merger, consolidation, purchase or assumption.


A.R.S. § 6-00588

6-588 - Conversion of credit union

6-588. Conversion of credit union

A. A credit union incorporated under the laws of this state may be converted to a credit union organized under the laws of the United States, or it may be converted to a credit union organized under the laws of another state if the principal office has relocated to another state or jurisdiction, in the following manner:

  1. On recommendations of the board of directors, the members of a credit union incorporated under the laws of this state, by an affirmative majority vote of all members voting in a meeting called for that purpose or by written ballot filed within fifteen days, may resolve to convert the credit union into a federal credit union or a credit union organized under the laws of another state.

  2. Within twenty days after the meeting at which the members determine to so convert, the credit union shall file with the deputy director a certificate verified by the affidavit of the president or the chairman and the secretary of the credit union. The certificate shall contain a copy of the minutes of the meeting and a statement that the members have approved the determination to convert the credit union into a federal credit union or a credit union organized under the laws of another state.

  3. The filing of the certificate required in paragraph 2 of this subsection with the deputy director is presumptive proof or evidence of the holding of the meeting and the action taken.

  4. After the meeting of the members, the credit union shall take such action as is necessary under the federal law or the state law to which it is converting as a credit union. It shall also liquidate in a manner approved by the deputy director any assets or liabilities that are not by reason of law capable of being transferred to the converted credit union. Within ten days after the receipt of the new charter or certificate of incorporation, the credit union shall file with the deputy director and the corporation commission a copy of the instrument. On this filing, the credit union ceases to be a credit union incorporated under the laws of this state and is converted to one under its new jurisdiction.

  5. At the time the conversion becomes effective, the credit union ceases to be supervised by this state and all of the property of the credit union, including all of its right, title and interest in and to all property of every kind and character, immediately by operation of law and without any conveyance or transfer and without any further act or deed is vested in the converted credit union under its new name and structure and under its new jurisdiction.

  6. The converted credit union shall have, hold and enjoy the property prescribed in paragraph 5 of this subsection in its own right as fully and to the same extent as the property was possessed, held and enjoyed by it as a credit union under the laws of this state. The converted credit union continues to be responsible for all of the obligations of the former credit union to the same extent as though the conversion had not taken place. The converted credit union is merely a continuation of the former credit union under a new name and new jurisdiction and the revision of its corporate structure as is necessary for its proper operation under the new jurisdiction.

B. A credit union organized under the laws of the United States or of any other state may convert to a credit union incorporated under the laws of this state in the following manner:

  1. To effect such a conversion a credit union shall first comply with all of the requirements of the jurisdiction under which it is organized and file proof of the compliance with the deputy director.

  2. The converting credit union through its proper officers and officials shall sign and acknowledge in quintuplicate a certificate of organization as required in sections 6-506 and 6-507 in which they bind themselves to comply with the requirements of the certificate and with all the laws and rules applicable to a state credit union. The application for a certificate of organization in quintuplicate, the bylaws in duplicate and the required charter fee and examination assessment shall be submitted to the deputy director who shall make or cause to be made an appropriate investigation for the purpose of determining the advisability of such a conversion. On receipt of the deputy director's certificate of organization in quadruplicate, with the certificate of approval, the applicants shall file the certificate of approval attached in quadruplicate with the corporation commission and record a certified copy of the filing under the seal of the commission with the county recorder of the county or counties in which the credit union is to do business. On proof of the recording, the corporation commission shall issue a certificate of incorporation to the credit union. The credit union shall forward a certified copy of the certificate of organization showing the filing and recording to the deputy director. The credit union shall also file with the corporation commission the appointment of an agent on whom service of process may be made.

  3. Within ten days after the receipt of the certified copy of the certificate of incorporation by the credit union, the credit union shall file two certified copies of the certificate with its present supervisory agency and a copy of the transmittal letter with the deputy director.

  4. On filing the certified copy of the certificate of organization with the deputy director, the converting credit union ceases to be a credit union under its former jurisdiction and is a credit union under the laws of this state. All of the property of the credit union, including all of its right, title and interest in and to all property of every kind and character, immediately, by operation of law and without any conveyance or transfer and without any further act or deed, is vested in the credit union under its new name and style as a state credit union and under its new jurisdiction.

  5. The converted credit union shall have, hold and enjoy the property prescribed in paragraph 4 of this subsection in its own right as fully and to the same extent as the property was possessed, held and enjoyed by it as a credit union under its former jurisdiction and the converted credit union continues to be responsible for all of the obligations of the former credit union to the same extent as though conversion had not taken place. The converted credit union is merely a continuation of the former credit union under a new name and new jurisdiction and the revision of its corporate structure as is considered necessary for its proper operation under the new jurisdiction.

C. A credit union incorporated under the laws of this state may be converted into an association, as defined in section 6-401, that is incorporated under the laws of this state or of the United States if the credit union complies with both of the following:

  1. The provisions established by the national credit union administration as prescribed by 12 Code of Federal Regulations part 708a.

  2. Any rules that the deputy director adopts to implement this subsection.


A.R.S. § 6-00904

6-904 - Issuance of license; renewal; inactive status; branch office license; application; fee

6-904. Issuance of license; renewal; inactive status; branch office license; application; fee

A. The deputy director, on determining that the applicant is qualified and has paid the fees, shall issue a mortgage broker's license or a commercial mortgage broker's license to the applicant which is evidenced by a continuous certificate. The deputy director shall grant or deny a license within one hundred twenty days after receipt of the completed application and fees. An applicant who has been denied a license may not reapply for such a license before one year from the date of the previous application.

B. For licenses approved on or before September 30, 2008, a licensee shall pay the renewal fee on or before September 30, 2008 and on or before December 31 for subsequent years beginning on or before December 31, 2009. Licenses not renewed by September 30, 2008 are suspended, and the licensee shall not act as a mortgage broker or a commercial mortgage broker until the license is renewed or a new license is issued pursuant to this article. A person may renew a suspended license by paying the renewal fee plus $25 for each day after September 30, 2008 that a license renewal fee is not received by the deputy director and making application for renewal as prescribed by the deputy director. Licenses which are not renewed by October 31, 2008 expire. A license shall not be granted to the holder of an expired license except as provided in this article for the issuance of an original license.

C. For licenses approved on or before September 30, 2008, a licensee may request inactive status on or before September 30, 2008 for the following license year, and the license shall be placed on inactive status after payment to the deputy director of the inactive status renewal fee prescribed in section 6-126 and the surrender of the license to the deputy director. During inactive status, an inactive licensee is not required to maintain a bond and shall not act as a mortgage broker or a commercial mortgage broker. A licensee may not be on inactive status for more than two consecutive years, nor for more than four years in any ten-year period. The license is deemed expired on violation of any of the limitations of this subsection.

D. For licenses approved after or renewed on September 30, 2008, a licensee shall pay the renewal fee on or before December 31, 2009 and on or before December 31 of each subsequent year. Licenses not renewed by December 31 are suspended, and the licensee shall not act as a mortgage broker or a commercial mortgage broker until the license is renewed or a new license is issued pursuant to this article. A person may renew a suspended license by paying the renewal fee plus $25 for each day after December 31 that a license renewal fee is not received by the deputy director and applying for renewal as prescribed by the deputy director. A license that is not renewed by January 31 expires. A license shall not be granted to the holder of an expired license except as provided in this article for the issuance of an original license.

E. For licenses approved after or renewed on September 30, 2008, beginning in 2009 and each subsequent year, a licensee may request inactive status for the following license year if the licensee makes the request on or before December 31. The license shall be placed on inactive status after the licensee pays to the deputy director the inactive status renewal fee prescribed in section 6-126 and surrenders the license to the deputy director. During inactive status, an inactive licensee is not required to maintain a bond and shall not act as a mortgage broker or a commercial mortgage broker. A licensee may not be on inactive status for more than two consecutive years or for more than four years in any ten-year period. The license expires on violation of this subsection.

F. An inactive licensee may return to active status notwithstanding the requirements of section 6-903, subsections C and D by making a written request to the deputy director for reactivation and paying the prorated portion of the annual assessment that would have been charged to the licensee. The licensee shall also provide the deputy director with proof that the licensee meets all of the other requirements for acting as a mortgage broker or a commercial mortgage broker, including required bond coverage or the deposit of a cash alternative.

G. A licensee shall prominently display the mortgage broker license or commercial mortgage broker license in the office of the mortgage broker or commercial mortgage broker.

H. Every licensed mortgage broker and licensed commercial mortgage broker shall designate and maintain a principal place of business in this state for the transaction of business. The license shall specify the address of the licensee's principal place of business. If a licensee wishes to maintain one or more locations in addition to a principal place of business, the licensee shall first obtain a branch office license from the deputy director and designate a person for each branch office to oversee the operations of that office. The licensee shall submit a fee as set forth in section 6-126 for each branch office license. If the deputy director determines that the applicant is qualified, the deputy director shall issue a branch office license indicating the address of the branch office. The licensee shall conspicuously display the branch office license in the branch office. If the address of the principal place of business or of any branch office is changed, the licensee shall immediately notify the deputy director of the change and the deputy director shall endorse the change of address on the license for a fee as prescribed in section 6-126.


A.R.S. § 8-00108

8-108 - Petition for child's custody by noncertified party; hearing; exceptions

8-108. Petition for child's custody by noncertified party; hearing; exceptions

A. A person who is not currently certified as acceptable to adopt but who has custody of a child who the person intends to adopt shall petition the court for an order permitting that person to keep custody of the child pending certification. The person shall file the petition not later than five days after the person obtains custody of the child. The court shall hold a hearing within ten days after the person files the petition. The child shall attend the hearing, except for good cause shown. At the hearing the burden of proof is on the petitioner to show that permitting custody is in the child's best interests. The court may permit the petitioner to have custody or it may order that custody be given to some other person or agency as it deems to be in the child's best interests. If the court permits the person to continue to have custody of the child, the court shall order the investigation for preadoption certification and report as required by section 8-105 to continue. If an application for certification has not been filed before the hearing, the court shall order that an application for certification be filed within thirty days after the hearing date.

B. If a petition is not filed by the person intending to adopt a child, the division, an agency or any other interested person may petition the court for such a hearing. On the filing of a petition the court shall set the matter for hearing and issue its order to the person having custody of the child to appear before it to show cause why custody should not be denied. The hearing shall then be held and the court's order made as provided in subsection A of this section.

C. A custody petition or hearing is not required in any of the following cases:

  1. If the person who intends to adopt the child is the spouse of a birth parent of the child.

  2. If the person who intends to adopt the child or one of these persons is an uncle, aunt, adult sibling, grandparent, or great-grandparent of the child of the whole or half-blood or by marriage.

  3. If the person who intends to adopt the child is currently certified as acceptable to adopt the child.

  4. If custody of the child has been given or is to be given to an agency or to the division or to a licensed or certified foster home.

  5. If the person who intends to adopt the child is currently the court appointed guardian of the child.


A.R.S. § 8-00136

8-136 - Prospective adoptive parent's blindness; certification; grant of adoption; burden of proof; specific written findings; definitions

8-136. Prospective adoptive parent's blindness; certification; grant of adoption; burden of proof; specific written findings; definitions

A. A court may not refuse to do either of the following:

  1. Certify a prospective adoptive parent as acceptable to adopt children based on the prospective adoptive parent's blindness, if the prospective adoptive parent is otherwise acceptable to adopt children.

  2. Grant an adoption to a potential adoptive parent based on the prospective adoptive parent's blindness, if the adoption is determined to be otherwise in the best interests of the child.

B. If a prospective adoptive parent's blindness is alleged to have a detrimental impact on a child, the party who raises the allegation has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the prospective adoptive parent's behavior endangers or is likely to endanger the health, safety or welfare of the child.

C. If the court denies or limits the grant of the adoption to the prospective adoptive parent, the court shall make specific written findings that state the basis of the denial or limitation.

D. For the purposes of this section:

  1. "Blindness" means having either of the following:

(a) A central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens.

(b) A degenerative condition that reasonably can be expected to result in a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens.

  1. "Central visual acuity of 20/200 or less" includes having a limitation in the field of vision so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle of not more than twenty degrees.

A.R.S. § 8-00466

8-466 - Child and family advocacy center; requirements for funding; immunity; definition

8-466. Child and family advocacy center; requirements for funding; immunity; definition

A. To be considered for funding from the child and family advocacy center fund established by section 41-191.11, a child and family advocacy center must be a private, nonprofit incorporated agency or a governmental entity that either:

  1. Is accredited by a national organization that is organized to promote multidisciplinary child abuse investigation and prosecution programs as outlined in 42 United States Code sections 13001 through 13005 and is a member of or affiliated with an organization that has set core standards for best practices of a child and family advocacy center.

  2. Annually certifies to the attorney general that the center meets all of the following:

(a) Maintains and provides services at a neutral facility that is focused on victims and that allows:

(i) Evidence-based forensic interviews by a trained forensic interviewer of victims or witnesses of one or more suspected offenses.

(ii) Interaction with a victim as investigative or treatment needs or victim services require.

(b) Has a multidisciplinary case review team that meets on a regular basis and that consists of members who are appropriate for serving a victim of a suspected offense. Membership of the team may include:

(i) A representative of the department.

(ii) A representative of the county attorney.

(iii) A mental health service provider.

(iv) A representative of law enforcement.

(v) A victim advocate.

(vi) A forensic medical professional.

(vii) A forensic interviewer.

(c) Provides medical evaluations or referrals for medical evaluations by a health care provider who has specific training in child or adult sexual abuse.

(d) Provides mental health therapy or referrals for mental health therapy by professionals who have training in and who provide trauma-focused and evidence-supported mental health treatment.

(e) Facilitates evidence-based training for various disciplines in the community that respond to reports of one or more suspected offenses.

(f) Has a written commitment from any agency that is participating in the multidisciplinary approach to handling one or more suspected offenses.

(g) Provides the attorney general with proof of compliance with standards prescribed pursuant to this section.

(h) Complies with the relevant safety assessment and investigation protocols developed pursuant to section 8-817.

B. An employee or designated agent of a child and family advocacy center that meets the requirements of subsection A of this section is immune from any civil liability that arises from the employee's or designated agent's participation in the investigation process and services provided by the child and family advocacy center, unless the employee or designated agent acted with malice or has been charged with or is suspected of abusing or neglecting the child who is the subject of the investigation or services provided. This subsection does not displace or limit any other immunity provided by law.

C. For the purposes of this section, "suspected offense" means one or more of the following:

  1. Child abuse or neglect.

  2. Abuse of an adult or a vulnerable adult.

  3. Sexual assault.

  4. Domestic violence.

  5. Juvenile sex trafficking.

  6. Homicide.


A.R.S. § 8-00509

8-509 - Licensing of foster homes; fingerprint waiver; restricted license; renewal of license; provisional license; exemption from licensure; immunization requirements; administration of medication; policies and procedures; definition

8-509. Licensing of foster homes; fingerprint waiver; restricted license; renewal of license; provisional license; exemption from licensure; immunization requirements; administration of medication; policies and procedures; definition

A. The department shall license and certify foster homes. Licenses are valid for a period of two years.

B. The department shall not issue a license without satisfactory proof that the foster parent or parents have completed six actual hours of approved initial foster parent training as set forth in section 8-503 and that each foster parent and each other adult member of the household has a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.07. The foster parent and each other adult member of the household must certify on forms that are provided by the department and that are notarized whether the foster parent or other adult member of the household is awaiting trial on or has ever been convicted of any of the criminal offenses listed in section 41-1758.07, subsections B and C in this state or similar offenses in another state or jurisdiction.

C. A kinship foster care parent shall apply for a fingerprint clearance card pursuant to section 41-1758.07. In its discretion and for good cause, the department may waive the requirement for a kinship foster care parent to obtain a fingerprint clearance card. In evaluating whether good cause exists, the department shall apply the criteria prescribed in section 41-1758.07, subsections B and C. If the department waives the requirement, the department shall issue to the kinship foster care parent a restricted license that applies only to the children placed with the kinship foster care parent for kinship foster care.

D. The department shall not renew a license without satisfactory proof that the foster parent or parents have completed twelve actual hours of approved ongoing foster parent training during the two-year period of licensure as set forth in section 8-503.

E. If the department determines that completing the training required in subsections B and D of this section would be a hardship to the foster parent or parents, the department may issue a provisional license for a period not to exceed six months. A provisional license may not be renewed.

F. Child welfare agencies that submit foster homes for licensing shall conduct an investigation of the foster home pursuant to licensing rules of the department. The department shall conduct investigations of all other foster homes. If the foster home meets all requirements set by the department, the agency shall submit an application stating the foster home's qualifications to the department. The agency may also recommend the types of licensing and certification to be granted to the foster home.

G. The department shall accept an adoptive home certification study as a licensing home study if the study has been updated within the past three months to include the information necessary to determine whether the home meets foster care licensing standards.

H. This section does not apply if the child is placed in a home by a means other than by court order and if the home does not receive compensation from this state or any political subdivision of this state.

I. The department may not prohibit a person operating a licensed foster home from applying for or receiving compensation as a foster home parent due to employment with this state.

J. The department shall not require a foster parent to immunize the foster parent's natural or adoptive children as a condition of foster home licensure.

K. A licensee may modify the renewal date of a license issued pursuant to this section by submitting an application for modification of renewal date with the department on a form prescribed by the department. The licensee must specify the new month of renewal on the application. The modified renewal date must be before, but not more than six months earlier than, the existing renewal date.

L. The foster care review board shall review the cases of children placed by the department in foster homes licensed pursuant to this section as required by section 8-515.03.

M. If a group foster home is licensed pursuant to this section and will be administering medication to a foster child who will be placed in the group foster home, the group foster home shall develop policies and procedures that identify how the group foster home will manage administering medication to a foster child. The policies and procedures shall include all of the following:

  1. How the group foster home will provide a foster child with qualified health care on a twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week schedule.

  2. The group foster home's process for administering medication to a foster child.

  3. The qualifications of staff members of the group foster home who will be administering medication to a foster child.

  4. The qualifications of staff members of the group foster home who will be supervising a foster child's self-administration of medication.

  5. The supervision, process and documentation of a foster child's self-administration of medication.

  6. The documentation process for the administration of medication, medication errors and drug reactions.

  7. The documentation and process of notification to a foster child's health care provider of a medication administration error or drug reaction.

  8. The procedures for contacting law enforcement, a health care provider or a medical professional when a foster child's refusal to take medication prescribed to the foster child endangers the foster child's or another's health and safety and the procedures for documenting the foster child's refusal to take medication prescribed to the foster child.

N. The department may require a group foster home to employ additional staff when a medically complex child is placed in the care of the group foster home. The department may require a group foster home to modify the group foster home's policies and procedures required by subsection M of this section to accommodate the needs of a medically complex child.

O. For the purposes of this section, "medically complex child" means a child who the department has determined has or is at risk for a chronic physical or developmental condition and who requires health-related services beyond the health-related services that are required by a child in general.


The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)