All Roll Calls
Yes: 89 • No: 61
ArizonaHB 2074Fifty-seventh Legislature - First Regular SessionHouseWALLET
school safety; proposals; assessments; plans
Sponsored By: Matt Gress (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ade (see also: department of education)assessmentscharter schoolschildren with disabilitiesdepartment of education (ade)education - title 15emergency response plansplansproposalspublic schoolsschool officersschool safetytriennial safety assessments
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
More education options for charter students
Students at charter schools outside the board exam system can earn a Grand Canyon diploma by passing the same board exams. Charter schools may choose to offer preschool for children with disabilities, but they do not have to offer it or guarantee a place. A charter high school may count an approved computer science course toward a math graduation requirement if it includes significant math and the school has qualified staff and needed resources. When a charter school joins the board exam system, its sponsor must change the school's approved curriculum requirements.
Protection for charter school applicants
School district boards and employees cannot unlawfully retaliate against district employees because they are involved in a charter school application. This protection also covers applications to turn all or part of an education program into a charter school.
Better training for school safety officers
Districts and charter schools with campus officers must train them to recognize and work effectively with children with disabilities. Safety proposals for certain officers must include training on student privacy, civil rights, and teen mental health. Proposals must also plan to share current site plans and safety reviews with local emergency responders. Charter schools must make emergency plans with local police and emergency agencies, following state standards and explaining how to communicate with and help students with disabilities. School blueprints and floor plans are not available through public-records requests.
More school safety funding options
The school safety program can help approved districts and charter schools pay for safety officers, technology, training, and campus improvements. A school that cannot place approved officers, counselors, or social workers can request support for technology, training, or improvements instead. Schools must explain their needs and planned costs. The law does not set a funding amount.
Limits on where charter schools locate
Certain charter schools cannot locate on school district property without approval from the district's governing board. Charter schools also cannot use eminent domain to acquire property. A school cannot locate within one-fourth mile of regulated agricultural land unless the landowner agrees in writing to follow buffer rules and records that agreement as a lasting land restriction.
Charter school debt and asset rules
Charter schools can pledge their assets to secure loans or other credit, giving them another way to seek financing but allowing lenders to claim pledged assets. Property accumulated by a charter school remains the school's property. Sponsors and their staff have personal liability protection for good-faith actions within their authority. The state and sponsors are not responsible for charter school debts or the debts of people who operate the schools.
Community access to charter school property
A charter school may let people and groups use its buildings, grounds, buses, or equipment for lawful purposes and may charge a reasonable fee. Schools do not have to offer access. Charter schools and their employees generally have protection from civil liability for decisions about allowing property use, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Longer renewals and tighter charter oversight
A charter begins with a 15-fiscal-year term and may receive successive 20-year renewals. Sponsors must review schools every five years using public standards for academic, operational, and financial performance. Schools seeking early renewal must give at least nine months' notice. Sponsors generally must allow 30 days to fix problems before revoking a charter, with exceptions for certain audit, health, or safety failures. Charter transfers usually take effect before a fiscal year begins; families must be told about planned transfers by charter holders on improvement plans. Sponsors must report each year by October 1, and the auditor general must report certain serious problems by December 31.
New fees and costs for charter schools
Charter schools must carry liability and property-loss insurance. They also pay a processing fee when amending a contract for online instruction, and may pay juvenile probation officers' participation costs under a law-related education agreement. Sponsors can charge new applicants for application review and needed technical help. But sponsors may charge charter schools for other services only when the fee matches the full value of services provided.
Regular safety checks for funded schools
Schools receiving safety program funds must have an emergency plan and hire a state-approved provider to assess each site every five years. The review covers physical security and the emergency plan. Every three years, the education department must assess a random sample of program participants and share results with school leaders and administrators.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Matt Gress
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/29/2025
THIRD: Passed
Yes: 17 • No: 12
House vote • 4/17/2025
MOTION: failed to pass
Yes: 11 • No: 14
House vote • 3/11/2025
DP
Yes: 6 • No: 4
House vote • 3/5/2025
DP
Yes: 4 • No: 3
House vote • 2/3/2025
THIRD: Passed
Yes: 35 • No: 24
House vote • 1/27/2025
C&P
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 1/14/2025
DPA
Yes: 8 • No: 4
Actions Timeline
Third Reading: Passed
4/29/2025HouseCOW Motion to Amend: failed to pass
4/17/2025HouseCommittee of the Whole: do pass
4/17/2025Houseundefined: PFC
4/8/2025Houseundefined: DP
3/11/2025Houseundefined: DP
3/5/2025HouseThird Reading: Passed
2/3/2025HouseCommittee of the Whole: do pass amended
1/30/2025Houseundefined: C&P
1/27/2025Houseundefined: DPA
1/14/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered Version
House Engrossed Version
Introduced Version