AZ Regulatory Bulletin 2024-01: 2024 Arizona Insurance and Financial Institutions Laws

Enforcement, Innovation and Regulatory Policy Division

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

100 N 15th Avenue, Suite 261, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

(602) 364-3100 | difi.az.gov

Katie Hobbs

Barbara D. Richardson

Governor

Cabinet Executive Officer

Executive Deputy Director

Substantive Policy Statement 2024-011

2024 Arizona Insurance and Financial Institutions Laws

Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes (“A.R.S.”) § 41-1091 the Arizona Department of Insurance

and Financial Institutions (“Department”) occasionally issues Substantive Policy Statements to

express the Department’s position on current industry practices and to provide the Department’s

interpretation regarding Arizona law requirements. The Department’s Substantive Policy

Statements are intended to promote a level playing field and uniform application of statutory

provisions to consumers and industry.

I. Purpose

The purpose of this Substantive Policy Statement is to summarize the major, newly enacted

legislation affecting the Department, its licensees and consumers.

II. Scope

This Substantive Policy Statement is not meant as an exhaustive list or a detailed analysis of all

Department-related bills. It generally describes the substantive content but does not capture all

details or necessarily cover all bills that may be of interest to a particular reader. The Department

may follow this bulletin with more detailed bulletins related to the implementation of specific

legislation.

III. Background

Arizona’s Fifty-sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session, adjourned sine die on June 15, 2024. All

legislation becomes effective on the general effective date of September 14, 2024, except as

otherwise noted. The following 19 bills passed during the 2024 Legislative Session.

IV. Department Position

Note: Unless otherwise stated, “Director” means the Director of the Department.

1 This Substantive Policy Statement is advisory only

l

legislation becomes effective on the general effective date of September 14, 2024, except as

otherwise noted. The following 19 bills passed during the 2024 Legislative Session.

IV. Department Position

Note: Unless otherwise stated, “Director” means the Director of the Department.

1 This Substantive Policy Statement is advisory only. A Substantive Policy Statement does not include internal

procedural documents that only affect the internal procedures of the agency and does not impose additional

requirements or penalties on regulated parties or include confidential information or rules made in accordance with

the Arizona Administrative Procedure Act. If you believe that this Substantive Policy Statement does impose

additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties you may petition the agency under section 41-1033,

Arizona Revised Statutes, for a review of the Statement.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

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2

Laws 2024, Chapter 4 (S. B. 1270) – reciprocal deposits; escrow agents; definitions

Amends A.R.S. § 6-834

Allows an escrow agent to use reciprocal deposits to provide access to additional Federal

Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance for monies deposited with the escrow agent if

the eligible depository institution: 1) arranges for deposit of the monies in the escrow agent’s

account in at least one FDIC-insured bank, savings bank or savings and loan association; and 2)

receives an amount of FDIC-insured deposits from customers of other financial institutions equal

to or greater than the amount of monies initially deposited by the escrow agent.

Laws 2024, Chapter 24 (H. B. 2093) – emergency services; prudent layperson; definition

Amends A.R.S

the escrow agent’s

account in at least one FDIC-insured bank, savings bank or savings and loan association; and 2)

receives an amount of FDIC-insured deposits from customers of other financial institutions equal

to or greater than the amount of monies initially deposited by the escrow agent.

Laws 2024, Chapter 24 (H. B. 2093) – emergency services; prudent layperson; definition

Amends A.R.S. § 20-2801

Specifies that emergency services includes health care services that are provided to an

enrollee in a licensed hospital emergency facility after the recent onset of a medical condition

that manifests in symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, such that a prudent

layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect

the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious impairment to a bodily function

or dysfunction of a bodily organ or part, jeopardy to the health, including mental health, of the

enrollee or harm to the enrollee or others.

Laws 2024, Chapter 48 (S.B. 1070) – virtual credit cards; payment method

Amends A.R.S. § 20-241

Requires a health care insurer to accept tangible checks as a form of acceptable payment.

If a health care provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until

the health care provider opts back in to the prior method of payment or a new contract is

executed.

Laws 2024, Chapter 51 (S. B. 1165) – pharmacy audit; procedures; prohibition

Amends A.R.S

A.R.S. § 20-241

Requires a health care insurer to accept tangible checks as a form of acceptable payment.

If a health care provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until

the health care provider opts back in to the prior method of payment or a new contract is

executed.

Laws 2024, Chapter 51 (S. B. 1165) – pharmacy audit; procedures; prohibition

Amends A.R.S. § 20-3322

Adds, to the procedures that apply to an audit conducted by an auditing entity conducting

a wholesale invoice audit, that the auditing entity must: 1) not audit the pharmacy claims of

another auditing entity; 2) reverse a finding of discrepancy if the pharmacist or pharmacy

dispensed the correct quantity of the drug according to the prescription as outlined; 3) as a

presumption of validity of a purchase of a dispensed drug, accept supplier invoices and any other

supporting documentation or reports required by a state board or agency to support the

pharmacy’s claims related to a dispensed drug as outlined; and 4) provide any supporting

documentation that the pharmacy supplier provided to the auditing entity within 10 business

days after receiving the pharmacy’s request.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

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Prohibits an auditing entity from, directly or indirectly, retroactively reducing the amount

of a claim payment to a pharmacist or a pharmacy after adjudication of the claim for a

prescription drug unless the claim was: 1) found to be fraudulent; 2) a duplicate; or 3) reimbursed

incorrectly due to an error that resulted in overpayment by an insurer or a pharmacy benefit

manager (PBM). An auditing entity, insurer or PBM is not prohibited from increasing the amount

of a claim payment after adjudication of the claim.

Laws 2024, Chapter 72 (H. B. 2444) – grievance process; payment methods; report

Amends A.R.S

1) found to be fraudulent; 2) a duplicate; or 3) reimbursed

incorrectly due to an error that resulted in overpayment by an insurer or a pharmacy benefit

manager (PBM). An auditing entity, insurer or PBM is not prohibited from increasing the amount

of a claim payment after adjudication of the claim.

Laws 2024, Chapter 72 (H. B. 2444) – grievance process; payment methods; report

Amends A.R.S. §§ 20-241, 20-3101, 20-3102 and 20-3115

Contracts for Health Care Services – Requires a health care insurer to accept tangible

checks as a form of acceptable payment. If a health care provider opts out of a method of

payment, that decision remains in effect until the health care provider opts back in to the prior

method of payment or a new contract is executed.

Provider Grievances – Specifies that a health care provider, with informed consent of the

patient, is not precluded from collecting monies for a medical service that is: 1) not covered under

the insurance policy; or 2) medically necessary and a payment on the claim was not made due to

a denial or a disallowance on the basis of frequency, limited to the rates prescribed by the

provider’s fee schedule.

Includes, in the definition of grievance, any delay in the timeliness of claim adjudication

that results in a delay of payment of a clean claim. By August 1 of each year the Department must

post a report on the Department’s website that includes the outlined information regarding

provider grievances for the prior fiscal year.

Laws 2024, Chapter 74 (H. B. 2729) – insurance coverage requirements; transportation

companies.

Amends A.R.S. §§ 28-4038 and 28-4039

Specifies that when a passenger to whom a transportation network company (TNC) is

providing transportation network services (TNS) is occupying the TNC vehicle, the minimum

amount of primary commercial motor vehicle liability insurance that covers a TNC driver’s

provision of TNS must be $1,000,000 per incident

verage requirements; transportation

companies.

Amends A.R.S. §§ 28-4038 and 28-4039

Specifies that when a passenger to whom a transportation network company (TNC) is

providing transportation network services (TNS) is occupying the TNC vehicle, the minimum

amount of primary commercial motor vehicle liability insurance that covers a TNC driver’s

provision of TNS must be $1,000,000 per incident.

Requires, rather than $250,000 per incident, a TNC driver, the TNC or both and a taxi,

livery vehicle or limousine driver or the taxi, livery vehicle or limousine company to maintain

primary commercial uninsured motorist coverage in a minimum amount equal to the greater of:

1) $25,000 per person and $75,000 per incident; or 2) the minimum limits for bodily injury or

death for a motor vehicle liability policy, which are $25,000 for one person or, subject to the limit

for one person, $50,000 for two or more persons in any one accident.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

Protect consumers, provide certainty on regulatory matters, and perform with efficiency and integrity as good stewards of taxpayer resources.

4

Laws 2024, Chapter 82 (S. B. 1296) – credit unions; formation; loans; membership

Amends A.R.S. §§ 6-501, 6-506, 6-510, 6-516, 6-522, 6-523, 6-524, 6-531, 6-537, 6-542, 6-551,

6-556, 6-561, 6-563 and 6-564; Repeals A.R.S. § 6-512

Organization and Membership – Adds, to the definition of credit union (CU), that a

purpose of a CU is to assist members to manage and control their financial resources to improve

their social and economic conditions. Expands the authority of the Deputy Director of Financial

Institutions (Deputy Director) to approve an insurer as an insuring organization

6-563 and 6-564; Repeals A.R.S. § 6-512

Organization and Membership – Adds, to the definition of credit union (CU), that a

purpose of a CU is to assist members to manage and control their financial resources to improve

their social and economic conditions. Expands the authority of the Deputy Director of Financial

Institutions (Deputy Director) to approve an insurer as an insuring organization.

Requires a CU’s proposed field of membership to consist of one or more, rather than be

limited to, groups having a common bond of interest, occupation, or association or within a well-

defined neighborhood, community or rural district and expands the list of organizations that may

be included in a CU’s field of membership. A CU may deny membership based on policies

established by the board of directors (board) and a person may appeal a denial within 30 days

after the denial. A CU’s management may expel a member pursuant to a written policy adopted

by the board if the board delegates such authority and modifies procedures for the expulsion of

a member, including notice and reconsideration requirements.

Powers of a CU – Allows a CU to purchase any of the assets and assume any of the

liabilities of a CU chartered under the laws of any state, a federal CU, a bank or an out-of-state

bank and adds that a CU may assume any of the liabilities of an Arizona-chartered CU.

Expands a CU’s ability to join associations and organizations. Eliminates the authority for

a CU to: 1) establish or maintain automated teller machines (ATMs) at locations other than its

place of business; and 2) join through contractual agreement with one or more other CUs or

other financial organizations in the operation of ATM networks. Repeals the stipulation that the

fiscal year of a CU ends on December 31.

Board – Allows a CU’s board to vote by electronic meeting and modifies meeting

frequency requirements. The Deputy Director may direct a CU’s board to meet more frequently

to address specific matters

rough contractual agreement with one or more other CUs or

other financial organizations in the operation of ATM networks. Repeals the stipulation that the

fiscal year of a CU ends on December 31.

Board – Allows a CU’s board to vote by electronic meeting and modifies meeting

frequency requirements. The Deputy Director may direct a CU’s board to meet more frequently

to address specific matters. Removes the requirement that a CU’s board must borrow or lend

money to carry on the functions of the CU.

Modifies the procedures for removing a director, officer or member of a committee,

including special meeting requirements to consider the suspension and requiring a majority,

rather than two-thirds, vote of either the supervisory committee or the board for a suspension.

Accounts – Requires share accounts to be subscribed to and paid for in a manner as the

board, rather than the bylaws, prescribes. Clarifies that a multiple party account entered into by

a CU is subject to non-probate transfer laws relating to accounts and securities.

Loans – Allows a CU to make loans to members for the purposes and on the conditions

prescribed by the board, rather than the bylaws. Prepayment penalties may be charged on loans

that are not made for personal, family or household purposes, rather than on member business

loans. Reduces, from 10 percent to 5 percent, the outstanding principal balance that a CU must

maintain of a joint loan to a member with another CU, CU organization or other organization.

d on the conditions

prescribed by the board, rather than the bylaws. Prepayment penalties may be charged on loans

that are not made for personal, family or household purposes, rather than on member business

loans. Reduces, from 10 percent to 5 percent, the outstanding principal balance that a CU must

maintain of a joint loan to a member with another CU, CU organization or other organization.

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Requires any loan that would result in an official becoming obligated as a direct obligor,

endorser, cosigner or guarantor in an aggregate amount of more than one percent of the CU's

net worth, rather than $20,000 or a greater amount determined by the Deputy Director, to be

approved by the board. Modifies reporting requirements for an official’s obligations to the CU.

Laws 2024, Chapter 83 (S. B. 1367) – occupational license; criminal record

Amends A.R.S. § 41-1093.04

Reduces, from seven years prior to three years prior, the period of time preceding the

date of a petition for review of a criminal record (petition) within which a person’s conviction of

any of the outlined offenses may be determined by a state agency to disqualify the person from

obtaining a license, permit, certificate or other state recognition (license). A state agency, in

determining whether the person’s criminal record disqualifies the person from obtaining a

license, may not consider: 1) any conviction that has been sealed; or 2) negatively whether the

person would qualify for a fingerprint clearance card without a good cause exception. A state

agency that determines that a person’s criminal record disqualifies the person from obtaining a

license must, rather than may, advise the person of the actions that the person may take to

remedy the disqualification

may not consider: 1) any conviction that has been sealed; or 2) negatively whether the

person would qualify for a fingerprint clearance card without a good cause exception. A state

agency that determines that a person’s criminal record disqualifies the person from obtaining a

license must, rather than may, advise the person of the actions that the person may take to

remedy the disqualification. By July 1 of each year, each state agency must post the agency’s

annual petitions report on its website.

Laws 2024, Chapter 102 (S. B. 1034) – (NOW: money transmission; notice)

Adds A.R.S. § 6-1235

Requires, before transmitting any money, a licensed money transmitter (licensee) that

engages in the business of receiving money for transmission on behalf of consumers for personal,

family or household purposes to provide consumer fraud warnings to the consumer, either in-

person or through electronic transmission as outlined, that include the prescribed information.

Exempts, from the fraud warning requirements: 1) an electronic funds transfer where the

monies are not transferred directly to another person and are not available for immediate use;

2) an electronic funds transfer that is made with a gift certificate; and 3) a licensee that can

demonstrate that they, or require their authorized delegate to, provide annual fraud prevention

training to employees that covers the indicia of fraud associated with electronic money transfers.

Laws 2024, Chapter 103 (S. B. 1042) – (NOW: title companies; recorded documents; DIFI)

Amends A.R.S. § 20-1591

Stipulates that an agreement by a person to indemnify or hold harmless a title insurer

from risks that arise from an instrument that is or becomes properly recorded and indexed in the

office of the county recorder and is only enforceable if the agreement is in writing and any of the

outlined criteria apply

S. B. 1042) – (NOW: title companies; recorded documents; DIFI)

Amends A.R.S. § 20-1591

Stipulates that an agreement by a person to indemnify or hold harmless a title insurer

from risks that arise from an instrument that is or becomes properly recorded and indexed in the

office of the county recorder and is only enforceable if the agreement is in writing and any of the

outlined criteria apply. Such an agreement: 1) does not affect the enforceability of title

warranties provided by a person in a deed or a mortgage; and 2) must be separate from and not

included in the title insurance policy.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

Protect consumers, provide certainty on regulatory matters, and perform with efficiency and integrity as good stewards of taxpayer resources.

6

Laws 2024, Chapter 138 (H. B. 2199) – (NOW: life care contract; disclosure)

Amends A.R.S. § 20-1812

Requires, for new and existing life care contracts (contracts), if a contract offers a refund,

the contract provider to deliver to the contract holder a separate disclosure document that

indicates: 1) whether and when the contract holder must pay an entrance fee; 2) whether any

part of the entrance fee, or any other amount, paid by the contract holder will be refunded; 3)

the amount of the refund and time for payment of the refund; and 4) any conditions or limits on

the payment of a refund.

Prescribes requirements for the formatting and execution of the disclosure document.

The Director may recommend or require that the disclosures be in a specified form.

Laws 2024, Chapter 139 (H. B. 2204) – (NOW: workers' compensation; premiums)

Amends A.R.S

unded; 3)

the amount of the refund and time for payment of the refund; and 4) any conditions or limits on

the payment of a refund.

Prescribes requirements for the formatting and execution of the disclosure document.

The Director may recommend or require that the disclosures be in a specified form.

Laws 2024, Chapter 139 (H. B. 2204) – (NOW: workers' compensation; premiums)

Amends A.R.S. §§ 23-902, 23-961 and 23-1065

Allows a workers’ compensation insurer to reduce the amount of premiums paid by an

employer by up to five percent if: 1) the insured employer is part of a membership organization

whose membership is comprised of persons that are in a similar or related line of commerce,

organized to promote and improve business conditions in that line of commerce, not engage in

regular business of a kind that is ordinarily carried on for profit and whose net earnings do not

inure to the benefit of any member; and 2) the insurer has a program agreement with the

membership organization of which the employer is a member.

Laws 2024, Chapter 149 (H. B. 2609) – auto theft authority; fee overpayment

Amends A.R.S. § 41-3453

Entitles an insurer that has overpaid the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA) fee

to a refund of the overpaid amount. The insurer must submit a written request for a refund to

the AATA within one year after the date that the overpaid fee was due and payable and include

documentation or any other information satisfactory to the Director to substantiate the actual

overpaid amount. The Director must approve or deny a refund of the amount specified in the

insurer’s request and, if approved, refund the amount to the insurer from the AATA Fund

tten request for a refund to

the AATA within one year after the date that the overpaid fee was due and payable and include

documentation or any other information satisfactory to the Director to substantiate the actual

overpaid amount. The Director must approve or deny a refund of the amount specified in the

insurer’s request and, if approved, refund the amount to the insurer from the AATA Fund.

Requires the Director to approve a written request submitted to the AATA by December

31, 2024, for a refund of the actual overpaid amount of the AATA fee that was the subject of a

claim initiated by an insurer in 2023 if the insurer includes documentation or any other

information satisfactory to the Director to substantiate the actual overpaid amount.

Allows the Director to audit, at the insurer’s expense, an insurer that issues motor vehicle

liability policies in Arizona for the purposes of determining compliance with AATA statutes.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

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Laws 2024, Chapter 178 (H. B. 2599) – health care appeals

Amends A.R.S. §§ 20-2501, 20-2532, 20-2533, 20-2534, 20-2535, 20-2536 and 20-2537; Adds

A.R.S. § 20-2542

Levels of Review – Effective January 1, 2025, replaces the informal reconsideration with

an initial appeal and the formal appeal with a voluntary internal appeal. A health care insurer

(insurer), for group plans and grandfathered individual plans, may elect to offer a voluntary

internal appeal as an additional level of review after an initial appeal. A minimum dollar amount

may not be imposed on a claim that is the subject of an adverse determination for a member to

pursue the health care appeals process. Eliminates the authorization for an insurer to offer

additional levels of review

for group plans and grandfathered individual plans, may elect to offer a voluntary

internal appeal as an additional level of review after an initial appeal. A minimum dollar amount

may not be imposed on a claim that is the subject of an adverse determination for a member to

pursue the health care appeals process. Eliminates the authorization for an insurer to offer

additional levels of review.

Requires, at each internal level of review, an insurer to provide a written determination

that includes the basis, criteria used, clinical reasons and rationale for the determination within

the prescribed timeframes. Adds, for all internal levels of review, advanced practice registered

nurses to the list of health care providers (providers) that a utilization review agent (URA) may

either consult with or select to render a determination for cases involving medical necessity or

appropriateness or experimental or investigational services. Before an insurer makes a final

internal adverse determination that relies on new or additional evidence generated directly or

indirectly by the insurer, the insurer must provide the new or additional information to the

member free of charge sufficiently in advance of the determination to allow the member a

reasonable opportunity to respond within the applicable timeframe for the determination. A

member must be considered to have exhausted an insurer’s internal levels of review, except as

prescribed, if the insurer fails to comply with health care appeals laws, except to the extent that

the member requested or agreed to the delay and that the member may simultaneously initiate

an expedited external independent review. An insurer may waive the internal levels of review.

Specifies that an insurer’s approved appeal process information packet must be

prominently displayed on the insurer’s website

he insurer fails to comply with health care appeals laws, except to the extent that

the member requested or agreed to the delay and that the member may simultaneously initiate

an expedited external independent review. An insurer may waive the internal levels of review.

Specifies that an insurer’s approved appeal process information packet must be

prominently displayed on the insurer’s website. An insurer and an independent review

organization (IRO) must maintain all records related to internal and external appeals and

exception requests for at least three years after the completion of the respective process.

Initial and Voluntary Internal Appeals – Requires the URA’s written determination of an

initial appeal to include a notice of the option to proceed to the voluntary internal appeal, if

applicable. Eliminates the requirement for the URA to send a written acknowledgement to the

member and the member’s treating provider within five business days after the URA receives an

initial or voluntary internal appeal request.

External Independent Review – Requires the URA’s written acknowledgment to include

notice to the member that the member has five business days after receiving the notice to submit

additional written evidence to the Department, of which the Director must provide a copy to the

insurer and the IRO within one business day after the Director receives the information, for

consideration by the assigned IRO. An IRO must consider timely submitted evidence in making its

determination and may, at its discretion, consider untimely submitted evidence.

eceiving the notice to submit

additional written evidence to the Department, of which the Director must provide a copy to the

insurer and the IRO within one business day after the Director receives the information, for

consideration by the assigned IRO. An IRO must consider timely submitted evidence in making its

determination and may, at its discretion, consider untimely submitted evidence.

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Requires the IRO’s determination to be consistent with the utilization review plan and the

IRO reviewer to consider the prescribed information when rendering a determination and include

the outlined information in the reviewer’s written determination.

Expedited Medical Review – Requires a URA to make a determination within 72 hours,

rather than one business day, after an expedited medical review request. Includes optometrists

and psychologists in the list of providers that the URA may consult with in making a determination

for an issue of medical necessity or appropriateness or is investigational or experimental.

Expedited External Independent Review – Increases, from five business days to four

months, the timeframe within which the member may request an expedited external

independent review after the member receives an adverse determination at the expedited

internal levels of review. A member may make an oral request for expedited external

independent review for an adverse determination involving an experimental or investigational

service if the member’s treating provider certifies in writing that the recommended service or

treatment would be significantly less effective if not promptly initiated

receives an adverse determination at the expedited

internal levels of review. A member may make an oral request for expedited external

independent review for an adverse determination involving an experimental or investigational

service if the member’s treating provider certifies in writing that the recommended service or

treatment would be significantly less effective if not promptly initiated.

Adds that a member may initiate an expedited external independent review if: 1) the URA

denies a health care service for which the member received emergency services but has not been

discharged or denies, reduces or terminates coverage for a member’s admission, the availability

of care, a continued stay for a course of treatment before the end of the period of time or number

of treatments recommended by the treating provider; or 2) the member exhausted or the insurer

waived the insurer’s internal levels of review.

Definition of Adverse Determination – Replaces an adverse decision with an adverse

determination. Adds, in the definition of adverse determination, a rescission and a determination

by a URA that, in whole or in part: 1) a requested service or claim for service is not appropriate,

including the health care setting, level of care or effectiveness of a covered benefit, or is

experimental or investigational; and 2) a denial, reduction or termination of a service, is not a

covered service, or is not medically necessary or appropriate, including the health care setting,

level of care or effectiveness of a covered benefit, or is experimental or investigational.

Laws 2024, Chapter 184 (S. B. 1402) – health care; costs; reimbursement

Adds A.R.S. § 20-111

Allows a health care insurer to establish a program that provides a savings incentive for

enrollees for medically necessary covered health care services that health care providers and

health care facilities provide at a price that is below the health care insurer’s usual

reimbursement

stigational.

Laws 2024, Chapter 184 (S. B. 1402) – health care; costs; reimbursement

Adds A.R.S. § 20-111

Allows a health care insurer to establish a program that provides a savings incentive for

enrollees for medically necessary covered health care services that health care providers and

health care facilities provide at a price that is below the health care insurer’s usual

reimbursement. The program may enable an eligible enrollee to: 1) have the amount the enrollee

pays applied toward the enrollee’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum; and 2) be reimbursed

for a portion of the amount of the difference between the price the enrollee paid and the health

care insurer’s usual reimbursement.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

Protect consumers, provide certainty on regulatory matters, and perform with efficiency and integrity as good stewards of taxpayer resources.

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Laws 2024, Chapter 194 (H. B. 2490) – proper venue; challenges; policy statements

Adds A.R.S. § 41-1010.01

Allows a party that appeals a final administrative decision to the superior court to bring

the action in any proper venue which, unless the proper venue is otherwise prescribed by statute,

may include: 1) the county where the appellant resides; 2) the county where the appellant’s

principal place of business is located; 3) the county where the agency is headquartered; and 4)

Maricopa County. If the proper venue for an action to review a final administrative decision is

expressly prescribed by statute, such venue must control.

Prohibits an agency from, unless otherwise provided by statute: 1) restricting the proper

venue for any appeal of a final administrative decision; or 2) requiring a party to travel to the

agency’s county, venue or headquarters to submit or receive documentation that supports the

analysis used to propose or finalize a final administrative decision.

Laws 2024, Chapter 203 (S. B. 1677) – firefighters; peace officers; PTSD; therapy

Adds A.R.S

d by statute: 1) restricting the proper

venue for any appeal of a final administrative decision; or 2) requiring a party to travel to the

agency’s county, venue or headquarters to submit or receive documentation that supports the

analysis used to propose or finalize a final administrative decision.

Laws 2024, Chapter 203 (S. B. 1677) – firefighters; peace officers; PTSD; therapy

Adds A.R.S. § 23-972

Conditional on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the use of

midomafetamine for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by December 31,

2025, requires employers to provide workers’ compensation coverage to firefighters and

certified peace officers who have been diagnosed with PTSD by a licensed mental health

professional and who have an accepted workers’ compensation claim for PTSD under Arizona

labor laws. Workers’ compensation coverage may include one complete course of a treatment

protocol of midomafetamine as prescribed by a psychiatrist if an independent medical

examination reveals a treatment protocol of midomafetamine is deemed a reasonable and

necessary treatment and follows the treatment guidelines established by the Industrial

Commission of Arizona. Midomafetamine prescribed for such purposes must meet the statutory

requirements for a controlled substance.

FY 2024-2025 Budget

Laws 2024, Chapter 209 (H. B. 2897) – general appropriations act; 2024-2025

Session Law

Requires monies in the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) line item to be used by

the Department to pay 75 percent of the personal services and employee-related expenses for

city, town and county sworn officers who participate in the VTTF. The Arizona Automobile Theft

Authority’s Local Grants must be awarded with consideration given to areas with greater

automobile theft problems and must be used to combat economic auto theft operations.

(VTTF) line item to be used by

the Department to pay 75 percent of the personal services and employee-related expenses for

city, town and county sworn officers who participate in the VTTF. The Arizona Automobile Theft

Authority’s Local Grants must be awarded with consideration given to areas with greater

automobile theft problems and must be used to combat economic auto theft operations.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

Protect consumers, provide certainty on regulatory matters, and perform with efficiency and integrity as good stewards of taxpayer resources.

10

Laws 2024, Chapter 212 (H. B. 2900) – commerce; 2024-2025

Amends A.R.S. §§ 6-135, 18-441 and 20-466; Adds A.R.S. § 20-466.05

Increases, from $200,000 to $700,000, the threshold over which excess unencumbered

monies at the end of the fiscal year in the Department’s Revolving Fund must be deposited into

the Department’s Receivership Revolving Fund.

Effective July 1, 2025, establishes the Fraud Unit Assessment Fund (Fund) and requires

monies collected from Fraud Unit assessments to be deposited in the Fund rather than the state

General Fund. The Department must use monies in the Fund to administer and operate the Fraud

Unit. Monies in the Fund are continuously appropriated.

All interested persons are encouraged to obtain copies of the enacted legislation from the Arizona

State Legislature’s website at azleg.gov or by contacting the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office at

(602) 542-4086. Please direct any questions regarding this bulletin to Fausto Burruel, Legislative

Liaison at (602) 531-3069 or fausto.burruel@difi.az.gov.