GOP State Legislators Laud Bills Getting Signed into Law

While Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) has been on a veto streak with major bills from Republican Legislators, not every bill gets the axe. As such, legislators with bills now on the books have released statements of celebration, including Senator Frank Carroll (R-Sun City West) on Monday for his bill helping the trucking industry.

“A victory last week for Arizona commerce, after the Governor signed by bill, SB1097,” Carroll said in an update to constituents. “We’ve had issues in our state, specifically in the West Valley, where municipalities are adopting regulations on trucking in their communities in an effort to prevent the traffic associated with commerce. This is a major problem for not only our economy, but for economies of other states.”

Now that its law, Carroll’s bill requires that, through ordinances passed on or after January 1st, 2020, a municipality may not restrict commercial vehicles of legal size from operating on major arterial streets unless the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) determines it is unsafe. If a restriction was previously enacted, anyone can request a review from ADOT, which can require the city to make a change is necessary. The law also outlines that municipalities must amend existing ordinances that contradict the law within 90 days of its enactment, or the regulation becomes automatically invalid.

As reported by West Valley View, one such restriction happened in Lichfield Park. In 2020, the city passed an ordinance restricting trucks from driving between Camelback and 127th Avenue. The city said this was to prevent trucks from driving through the city from one destination to another in an attempt to reduce noise and traffic in the area.

Furthermore, Senator Janae Shamp (R-Surprise) made a similar announcement that her bill, SB 1603, is now law. Federal regulations require that hospitals provide item and service price transparency on their websites with annual updates. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) enforces this policy through notices and civil penalties. Shamp’s new law requires the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) to collaborate with the CMS to ensure state hospitals comply with this rule. Starting in 2025, if the CMS shares that any hospitals are not fulfilling the law, then DHS will make an annual public report showing which hospitals are non-compliant and have been hit with a civil penalty.

“One of the only industries we participate in buying services from yet don’t know the prices for … is healthcare,” Shamp said. “I believe this new law can go a long way in helping protect the citizens of Arizona and create a better experience for Arizonans needing medical services.”

As for the House, Representative Teresa Martinez’s (R-Casa Grande) HB 2446 was also signed into law. The law now allows Joint Powers Authorities, such as the Fire and Medical Authority, to access a portion of the Smart and Safe fund allotted to public safety departments. Martinez said this would help smaller fire districts get some more funding.

However, while the legislators did celebrate their bill’s passing, they also took time to reflect on Hobbs’s first 100 days in office. Carroll blasted Hobbs for vetoing nearly 50 bills during that time, including some that would have eliminated the food tax and put harsher punishments on fentanyl dealers. Moreover, Shamp also called into question Hobbs’s staffing judgments. Her previous press secretary had to step down after making an inappropriate tweet, and her choice for Department of Child Safety director also had to resign.

“Here’s hoping the next 100 are filled with fewer broken promises and more bipartisan collaboration,” Shamp said.

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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Gov. Katie Hobbs” by Gov Katie Hobbs.

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