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Senate advances kratom changes, child welfare reforms and other bills; several measures pass
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Summary
During Committee of the Whole and on third reading April 20, the Senate adopted floor amendments and recommended do‑pass on multiple House bills (including HB 21‑70, HB 24‑15 on kratom, HB 2,035 child welfare and HB 22‑49 parents' bill of rights) and recorded votes on third reading for a slate of measures.
The Arizona Senate on April 20 considered a broad slate of House measures in Committee of the Whole and on third reading, adopting floor amendments on several bills and recording final votes.
Kratom regulation (HB 24‑15): Senators adopted a Kavanaugh floor amendment clarifying that law enforcement or crime laboratories that lack kratom testing capability may have tests coordinated by the attorney general. Senator Bullock offered and secured a floor amendment to align kratom advertising and point‑of‑sale restrictions with those used for marijuana to protect minors; the committee and the Senate later passed the bill (third reading recorded as 22 ayes, 7 nays, 1 not voting).
Child welfare update (HB 2,035): Senator Warner introduced a floor amendment to add adopted family members to the definition of extended family members for kinship care purposes; the amendment was adopted and HB 2,035 passed third reading (vote recorded 26 ayes, 3 nays, 1 not voting).
Parents' bill of rights (HB 22‑49): Senator Meznard's floor amendment (adopted in committee) includes a provision that, as explained on the floor, can create personal liability in certain cases (the transcript cites a figure of $20,000 per instance). The Senate passed HB 22‑49 on third reading (17 ayes, 12 nays, 1 not voting).
Other action: The Senate recommended do‑pass for HB 2,700 and HB 21‑70 (HB 21‑70 later passed on third reading, 17–12–1), passed HB 25‑73 (DUI‑related code changes) with a unanimous recorded third‑reading vote (28–0), and failed HB 29‑50 (tourism assessment) on third reading (10–19–1). The chamber also approved House Concurrent Resolution 2,043 (a call for a congressional convention on term limits) 16–13–1.
Votes at a glance: HB 28‑73 (referendum withdrawal) — passed 20 ayes, 9 nays, 1 not voting (emergency clause; see separate story). HB 21‑70 — passed 17 ayes, 12 nays, 1 not voting. HB 24‑15 (kratom) — passed 22 ayes, 7 nays, 1 not voting. HB 29‑50 (tourism assessment) — failed 10 ayes, 19 nays, 1 not voting. HB 2,035 (child welfare) — passed 26 ayes, 3 nays, 1 not voting. HB 22‑49 (parents' bill of rights) — passed 17 ayes, 12 nays, 1 not voting. HB 25‑73 (DUI) — passed 28 ayes, 0 nays. HCR 2,043 (term‑limits convention request) — passed 16 ayes, 13 nays, 1 not voting.
What to watch next: bills passed by the Senate will be transmitted to the House as recorded in the day’s proceedings; items a clerk recorded as adopted will proceed through inter‑chamber processing.
