Arizona House opens session, proclaims Arizona Aviation Day and posts dozens of bills for first reading

The Arizona House of Representatives convened on Jan. 26, 2026, with the speaker pro tem calling the chamber to order and the clerk recording the day’s business. The session opened with prayer by Deacon Ernie Gonzalez and the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance was recorded at 56 present, 2 absent and 2 excused.

Representative Leo Biyasuji sponsored and the clerk read a legislative proclamation designating Jan. 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, citing the state’s 67 public-use airports, aerospace activity and the sector’s contributions to employment and tourism. Representative Biyasuji then introduced aviation industry guests from airports and related organizations attending the House.

The clerk placed numerous measures on the speaker’s desk and read a broad list of bills for first reading and referral across multiple committees. Subjects announced on the floor included water and natural-resources measures, energy and utilities, land and agricultural issues, education items (including several Empowerment Scholarship Account items), public safety and judiciary measures, and multiple concurrent and house resolutions. The clerk also listed several memorials and constitution-related resolutions.

Representatives also welcomed a delegation from the Alzheimer’s Association and noted statewide estimates cited on the floor — more than 150,000 Arizonans living with dementia and about 240,000 family caregivers — as well as Creighton University students attending with the doctor of the day, Dr. Pamela Murphy, MD.

Procedural business concluded with leadership announcements about committee and caucus meetings. Representative Willoughby moved to adjourn; the motion carried on a voice vote and the House stood adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

What’s next: committees scheduled to meet later that day and caucus meetings set for the following morning, per House announcements.