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Business priorities progress as Legislature hits halfway mark for committee hearings

The state Legislature is nearing the halfway mark for committee hearings. The House committees have completed their consideration of bills that originated in the House, while the Senate committees have heard bills that originated in the Senate. Except for some agency continuation bills that will be heard in the Senate Health Committee, only the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are meeting this week to consider a full slate of bills. 

Beginning next week, committees will begin to hear bills that originated in the opposite chamber. 

Here鈥檚 a look at where issues of importance to the business community stand in the legislative process: 

Extension of the Arizona Commerce Authority 

State agencies鈥 lifespans are set by the Legislature and undergo reviews by the auditor general at the end of their terms. The Arizona Commerce Authority, the state鈥檚 lead economic development agency, is up for renewal this year. 

HB 2417, sponsored by Rep. David Livingston (R-Peoria), would extend the ACA for an additional four years. 

The Arizona 暗网中文论坛of Commerce & Industry has made the ACA鈥檚 extension a priority for the session. 

鈥淭he ACA has proven essential to the state鈥檚 economic success for more than a decade,鈥 暗网中文论坛Vice President of Government Affairs Courtney Coolidge said. 鈥淲e appreciate Rep. Livingston for sponsoring the bill and we鈥檒l continue to stress to legislators the consequences of not renewing the ACA.鈥 

The House Appropriations Committee passed Livingston鈥檚 bill 14-2. It will head to the House floor for a vote after it鈥檚 cleared by the Rules Committee. 

Renewal of Proposition 123 funding 

Arizona voters in a 2016 special election passed Proposition 123, which increased investment in K-12 education by $3.5 billion and ended a long lawsuit over previous state budgets鈥 K-12 funding levels. 

The proposition is nearing the end of its 10-year lifespan, and the business community has identified a refreshed measure as a necessity to avoid a reduction in funding. 

Both the governor and legislators have their own plans for a successor to Proposition 123, with varying levels of disbursements proposed from the state land trust to schools. 

鈥淲e appreciate that the Legislature and the Governor鈥檚 Office are making the extension of Prop. 123 a priority,鈥 Coolidge said. 鈥淲e hope stakeholders can get together to refer a solution that will resonate with voters and pass in November to ensure public education continues to receive these critical dollars.鈥 

Greater transparency in third party litigation funding 

HB 2638, the Litigation Investment Safeguards and Transparency Act, sponsored by Rep. Travis Grantham (R-Gilbert), would make the often-secretive practice of third-party litigation financing, where a lender bankrolls a lawsuit in exchange for a cut of the settlement or award, more transparent to defendants and courts. 

Litigation funding has grown in popularity among big-dollar benefactors, including hedge funds and private equity firms, looking to make a return on lawsuits. Opponents argue that the practice can extend litigation, causing plaintiffs to cut off settlement talks so a greater return can be delivered to the lawsuit鈥檚 financial backer. 

Due to concerns that third-party funders are directing legal strategy, Grantham鈥檚 bill ensures decision-making over a case鈥檚 strategy rests with the plaintiff, not the outside funder, and it would force the funder to cover any sanctions associated with bringing a frivolous lawsuit. The bill also says litigation financing must be disclosed to an attorney鈥檚 clients, the court, and all parties in litigation. 

鈥淥ur legal system is one of Arizona鈥檚 competitive advantages, ensuring plaintiffs and defendants are on an even playing field,鈥 Coolidge said. 鈥淭his bill would be an important civil justice reform.鈥 

The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee last week and now heads to the Rules Committee before it can proceed to the full House for a vote.

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