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House rejects measure restricting post-employment moves from Arizona Corporation Commission staff to regulated entities
Summary
House members debated and voted down House Bill 2,518, a measure targeting revolving-door employment between the Arizona Corporation Commission and regulated utilities and public service corporations. Supporters argued the bill prevents regulatory capture; opponents called it government overreach. The measure failed on a 21–35 vote.
House floor debate on March 13 ended with House Bill 2,518 failing to pass. The measure, discussed at length, would have imposed restrictions related to staff or commissioners moving from the Arizona Corporation Commission to entities the commission regulates.
Representative Blackmon opposed the bill on principle, calling it "government overreach" and arguing it would limit private employment choices and go against free-enterprise principles. He said the bill was overly broad and could prevent ordinary employees such as janitors from later working elsewhere.
Supporters defended the bill as a narrow measure to prevent regulatory capture and preserve public trust in rate-setting for government-granted monopolies. Representative Olson said the measure "prohibits regulatory capture" and emphasized that staff who participate in rate-making can substantially influence outcomes; restricting the revolving door over those staff was framed as protecting consumers and the public interest.
Representative Collinan (name by transcript) argued the public wants the "revolving door" shut to remove incentives that could influence regulators' judgment; he described the measure as bipartisan in spirit. The debate featured exchanges about the proper role of government in addressing conflicts of interest where government-regulated monopolies are involved.
When the House voted, the clerk recorded 21 ayes and 35 nays; the motion failed and HB 2,518 did not pass the House. The transcript records multiple floor explanations of vote choices by members on both sides. The record shows this was a final third-reading vote on that bill in this session.
