Arizona Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session Status: Enacted 10 R cosponsors

SB 1159 — teacher certification; leadership preparation programs

Last action — Signed by Governor

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 13, 2022. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 66% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 16 sponsors

    1 primary, 15 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (10 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    3 passed, 5 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

This bill establishes new requirements for training programs that prepare teachers to take on leadership roles in education. It aims to improve the quality of programs that help educators develop the skills needed to lead schools and support other teachers effectively.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

363 added · 366 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill has been revised to focus on teachers with expertise in grades six through twelve, removing references to kindergarten and grades one through five. This change allows individuals without traditional teaching qualifications to obtain a special certificate for teaching in grades six to twelve without needing immediate professional knowledge proficiency. This matters because it could help address teacher shortages by making it easier for qualified individuals to step into teaching roles in higher grades, thereby supporting students' education in key subject areas. Additionally, those newly certified must review best practices for using social media and cellular phones, ensuring they are prepared for modern classroom challenges.

→
Previous
Latest
Senate Engrossed teacher certification;
House Engrossed Senate Bill teacher certification;
leadership preparation programs State of Arizona Senate Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session SENATE BILL 1159 AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 15-501.01, 15-533 AND 15-553, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES;
leadership preparation programs State of Arizona Senate Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session CHAPTER 337 SENATE BILL 1159 AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 15-501.01, 15-533 AND 15-553, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES;
A person who obtains a subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate pursuant to this paragraph may provide instruction in the person's field of expertise in KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS AND grades six ONE through twelve at any public school in this state.
A person who obtains a subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate pursuant to this paragraph may provide instruction in the person's field of expertise in grades six through twelve at any public school in this state.
If a person fails to meet the professional knowledge requirements of this section within two years, the department of education or state board of education may temporarily - 3 - S.B.
If a person fails to meet the professional knowledge requirements of this section within two years, the department of education or state board of education may temporarily suspend the subject-matter expert standard - 3 - S.B.
1159 suspend the subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate.
1159 teaching certificate.
A PERSON WHO RECEIVES A SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERT STANDARD TEACHING CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH IN KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS AND GRADES ONE THROUGH FIVE MAY RECEIVE A SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERT STANDARD TEACHING CERTIFICATE ONLY IN AN APPROVED SUBJECT AREA THAT IS RELEVANT TO THE PERSON'S SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERTISE.
Notwithstanding section 15-533, shall exempt persons applying for a secondary education certificate from the subject knowledge portion of the proficiency examination if the state board determines that the person has work experience in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and can demonstrate adequate knowledge of a particular subject - 4 - S.B.
Notwithstanding section 15-533, shall exempt persons applying for a secondary education certificate from the subject knowledge portion of the proficiency examination if the state board determines that the person has work experience in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and can demonstrate adequate knowledge of a particular subject through a postsecondary education degree or twenty-four credit hours of relevant coursework.
1159 through a postsecondary education degree or twenty-four credit hours of relevant coursework.
Shall allow for a certificate issued to a person pursuant to subsection B, paragraph 1, 3, 4 or 5 of this section or section 15-203 or 15-782.01, as applicable, to be both issued and renewed for at least twelve years and may not require more than fifteen hours of continuing education credits each year in order to renew that certificate pursuant to this paragraph.
Shall allow for a certificate issued to a person pursuant to subsection B, paragraph 1, 3, 4 or 5 of this section or section 15-203 or 15-782.01, as applicable, to be both issued and renewed for at least twelve years and may not require more than fifteen hours of continuing - 4 - S.B.
1159 education credits each year in order to renew that certificate pursuant to this paragraph.
- 5 - S.B.
1.
1159 1.
(e) An emergency substitute certificate.
- 5 - S.B.
(f) A SUBSTITUTE TEACHING CERTIFICATE.
1159 (e) An emergency substitute certificate.
A person who is applying for a standard TEACHING certificate, or any other certificate adopted by the - 6 - S.B.
A person who is applying for a standard TEACHING certificate, or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education, is not required to take any portion of the proficiency examination if the person has been a full-time teacher OR IN A FULL-TIME SCHOOL LEADERSHIP POSITION in any state, including this state, for at least three years in the same area of certification in which the person is applying for certification in this state.
1159 state board of education, is not required to take any portion of the proficiency examination if the person has been a full-time teacher OR IN A FULL-TIME SCHOOL LEADERSHIP POSITION in any state, including this state, for at least three years in the same area of certification in which the person is applying for certification in this state.
1.
- 6 - S.B.
1159 1.
- 7 - S.B.
Sec.
1159 Sec.
B.
- 7 - S.B.
1159 B.
- 8 - S.B.
5.
1159 5.
7.
- 8 - S.B.
1159 7.
- 9 - S.B.
4.
1159 4.
TO CONTINUE AS A CLASSROOM-BASED PREPARATION PROGRAM PROVIDER, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL MUST APPLY FOR RENEWAL BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF ITS CURRENT APPROVAL.
TO CONTINUE AS A CLASSROOM-BASED PREPARATION PROGRAM PROVIDER, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR - 9 - S.B.
1159 CHARTER SCHOOL MUST APPLY FOR RENEWAL BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF ITS CURRENT APPROVAL.
A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL MAY CONTRACT - 10 - S.B.
A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL MAY CONTRACT WITH A THIRD-PARTY PROVIDER TO PROVIDE OR ASSIST IN THE PREPARATION PROGRAM AND MAY USE THAT PROGRAM'S EFFICACY EVIDENCE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS PARAGRAPH.
1159 WITH A THIRD-PARTY PROVIDER TO PROVIDE OR ASSIST IN THE PREPARATION PROGRAM AND MAY USE THAT PROGRAM'S EFFICACY EVIDENCE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS PARAGRAPH.
AN APPLICANT FOR CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST HOLD AT LEAST A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED PUBLIC OR PRIVATE POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTION AND MEET BACKGROUND AND FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE CARD REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15-534.
AN APPLICANT FOR CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST HOLD AT LEAST A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED PUBLIC OR PRIVATE - 10 - S.B.
1159 POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTION AND MEET BACKGROUND AND FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE CARD REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15-534.
APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR JULY 5, 2022.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 5, 2022.
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (9)

Action History

  1. Signed by Governor

  2. Transmit to Governor

  3. Transmit to Senate

  4. PASSED

  5. PASSED

  6. PASSED

  7. DPA

  8. PASSED

  9. DPA

  10. DPA

  11. House Second Reading

  12. House First Reading.

  13. Transmit to House

  14. PASSED

  15. DPA

  16. DPA

  17. Senate Second Reading

  18. Senate First Reading

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 15 co-sponsors · 77 not signed on · 12 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (15)

Not signed on (77)

77 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 77 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed

Passed 16 Yea · 12 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 0500
Unaffiliated 9702
Republican 7000
Total 161202
% of votes cast 53%40%0%7%
How each member voted (30)
Member Party Vote
Christine Marsh — Nay
Juan Mendez — Not Voting
Karen Fann — Yea
Kelly Townsend — Yea
Lisa Otondo — Nay
Martin Quezada — Nay
Michelle B. Ugenti-Rita — Yea
Nancy Barto — Yea
Paul Boyer — Yea
Raquel Terán — Nay
Rebecca Rios — Nay
Rick Gray — Yea
Rosanna Gabaldon — Nay
Sean Bowie — Nay
Sine Kerr — Yea
Sonny Borrelli — Yea
Tyler Pace — Yea
Victoria Steele — Not Voting
Lela Alston Democrat Nay
Lupe Contreras Democrat Nay
Sally Ann Gonzales Democrat Nay
Stephanie Stahl Hamilton Democrat Nay
Theresa Hatathlie Democrat Nay
David Gowan Republican Yea
David Livingston Republican Yea
J.D. Mesnard Republican Yea
Thomas "T.J." Shope Republican Yea
Venden "Vince" Leach Republican Yea
Warren Petersen Republican Yea
Wendy Rogers Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 1159 do?
This bill establishes new requirements for training programs that prepare teachers to take on leadership roles in education. It aims to improve the quality of programs that help educators develop the skills needed to lead schools and support other teachers effectively.
Who sponsors SB 1159?
SB 1159 is sponsored by Justin Wilmeth (Republican), Jeff Weninger (Republican), Kevin Payne (Republican), John Kavanagh (Republican), J.D. Mesnard (Republican), Shawnna Bolick (Republican), David Livingston (Republican), Venden "Vince" Leach (Republican), Warren Petersen (Republican), David Gowan (Republican), Rick Gray, Nancy Barto, Sonny Borrelli, Paul Boyer, Sine Kerr, and Ben Toma.
What is the current status of SB 1159?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 13, 2022. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 1159?
Track SB 1159 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 1159

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 1159

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →