House committee backs resolution to send sports-eligibility question to Arizona ballot
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Summary
The Committee of the Whole recommended House Concurrent Resolution 2,003 'do pass' after floor debate. Supporters called it a ballot question to protect women's sports; opponents urged deference to athletic associations and said the Legislature should prioritize affordability and other constituent concerns.
The Committee of the Whole recommended House Concurrent Resolution 2,003 'do pass' on Feb. 17, 2026, after an extended floor debate about whether eligibility rules for transgender athletes should be put to voters.
Representative Bliss, who moved the committee recommendation, said supporters view the measure as a straightforward, common-sense approach to ensure fairness and safety in women's sports and to allow voters to decide. "This is a referendum to the ballot, and the voters will be making that decision," Bliss told the committee.
Opponents emphasized deference to athletic associations and cautioned lawmakers against substituting legislative judgment for technical sports governance. Representative De Los Santos said athletic associations and individual sports organizations are better positioned to make sport-specific determinations and urged the chamber to focus on priorities such as health care and affordability. Representative Olsen, a supporter, argued: "Well, it doesn't take an expert to know that this is good policy, that we're not going to allow biological men in women's sports. This is plain and simple good policy. This is common sense." Several members cited polling and studies in support of their positions during floor remarks.
After comments from multiple members on both sides, the Committee of the Whole recommended the resolution do pass and the report to the House recorded that HCR 2,003 received a do-pass recommendation.