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Arizona House approves $17.5 billion budget after hours of amendment fights and roll-call votes
Summary
After extensive committee and floor debate, the Arizona House passed the General Appropriations Act (Senate Bill 17-35) late Thursday, approving the state's 2025'26 spending plan amid multiple amendments, roll-call appeals and vocal floor explanations from members on both sides of the aisle.
The Arizona House passed the General Appropriations Act (Senate Bill 17-35) late Thursday after extended committee work and floor debate that included multiple floor amendments, attempts to add committee-report amendments and a series of roll-call challenges.
Representative Kevin Diaz, speaking in committee, moved that the bill receive a "due pass" recommendation; the committee later reported the bill to the full House as amended. The House approved the measure on third reading with the clerk recording 40 ayes, 16 nays and 4 not voting.
Why it matters: SB 17-35 is the state's primary operating budget for fiscal 2025'26. It funds K-12 and higher education, health and human services, public safety pay increases, and a mix of targeted one-time and ongoing appropriations that members said were intended to hold agencies while the Legislature settles long-term policy.
Most consequential debate focused on program funding and policy guardrails.…
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