Arizona 57th Legislature - First Regular Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

SB 1281 — adjutant general; duties

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 27, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Katie Hobbs (Democratic) on July 01, 2025.

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

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence
  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    5 passed, 3 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.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

282 added · 197 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised version of SB 1281 includes significant changes to the appointment process and residency requirements for the adjutant general, who heads the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. The new bill specifies that the adjutant general must be a current resident of Arizona or establish residency within 90 days after being appointed, ensuring that the position is filled by someone with ties to the state. This amendment matters because it aims to enhance leadership accountability and connection to local issues, which could lead to more effective emergency management and military affairs oversight.

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Senate Engrossed adjutant general;
House Engrossed Senate Bill adjutant general;
duties State of Arizona Senate Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session SENATE BILL 1281 AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 26-102 AND 26-181, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES;
duties State of Arizona Senate Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session CHAPTER 256 SENATE BILL 1281 AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 26-101, 26-102, 26-104 AND 26-181, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES;
Section 26-101, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
26-101.
Department of emergency and military affairs;
organization;
adjutant general;
qualifications A.
The department of emergency and military affairs is established consisting of the division of emergency management and other divisions or offices as determined by the adjutant general pursuant to section 26-102, subsection C, paragraph 8.
B.
The department consists of the adjutant general and such other officers, warrant officers, enlisted personnel and employees as deemed necessary.
C.
The department shall be administered and controlled by the governor as commander-in-chief.
The adjutant general shall be the director of the department.
D.
The adjutant general shall be appointed by the governor pursuant to section 38-211 and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.
The person appointed shall MUST:
1.
Be a citizen of the United States, .
2.
BE A CURRENT RESIDENT OF THIS STATE OR ESTABLISH DOMICILE IN THIS STATE FOR RESIDENCY PURPOSES WITHIN NINETY DAYS FOLLOWING APPOINTMENT.
3.
MEET EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
(a) Have served two of the five years immediately preceding appointment in the national guard in the state or territory where the person is an assigned member and establish domicile in Arizona for residency purposes within ninety days after appointment.
(b) BE A GENERAL OFFICER WHO IS CURRENTLY SERVING, OR A RETIRED GENERAL OFFICER WHO HAS BEEN ON RETIRED STATUS FOR NOT MORE THAN TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS, AND WHO HAS A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE RANK OF COLONEL OR HIGHER IN THE NATIONAL GUARD IN A STATE WHERE THE OFFICER WAS ASSIGNED.
E.
In appointing the adjutant general, the governor may give preference to a person who has served in the national guard of this state.
At the time of the appointment, the person appointed shall have qualifications required by the United States department of defense for the adjutant general and, IF THE PERSON IS NOT ALREADY A GENERAL OFFICER, shall attain federal recognition in a grade of at least brigadier general not later than two years after the appointment.
BEFORE APPOINTMENT, ANY PERSON WHO IS CURRENTLY SERVING AND WHO IS NOTIFIED THAT THE PERSON IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR APPOINTMENT SHALL PROVIDE EVIDENCE, BY THE DEADLINE STIPULATED, TO THE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OR OFFICE DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR THAT THE PERSON IS IN GOOD STANDING WITH CURRENT ARMY OR AIR FORCE REQUIREMENTS, DEPENDING ON THE PERSON'S BRANCH OF SERVICE, FOR MILITARY SERVICE.
IF A RETIRED GENERAL OFFICER IS SELECTED FOR - 1 - S.B.
1281 APPOINTMENT TO SERVE AS THE ADJUTANT GENERAL, THAT GENERAL OFFICER SHALL PROVIDE, WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF APPOINTMENT, EVIDENCE TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF GOOD STANDING WITH CURRENT ARMY OR AIR FORCE REQUIREMENTS, DEPENDING ON THE PERSON'S BRANCH OF SERVICE, FOR MILITARY SERVICE.
A PERSON'S failure to meet these SERVICE STANDARDS OR OTHER qualifications WITHIN THE TIME PRESCRIBED, failure to retain federal recognition or failure to meet the age provided by federal law relating to state adjutants general shall terminate TERMINATES the appointment.
E.
F.
The adjutant general shall receive compensation as determined pursuant to section 38-611 and shall devote full time to the office.
F.
G.
At the time of appointment, the adjutant general shall receive the state rank of major general and, at that time, shall become the ranking officer in the department of emergency and military affairs.
Sec.
2.
Show all 83 changed rows (43 more)
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4.
- 2 - S.B.
1281 4.
- 1 - S.B.
9.
1281 9.
7.
- 3 - S.B.
1281 7.
Individuals appointed as peace officers pursuant to this paragraph are not eligible to participate in funding provided by the peace officers' training fund - 2 - S.B.
Individuals appointed as peace officers pursuant to this paragraph are not eligible to participate in funding provided by the peace officers' training fund established by section 41-1825 or in the public safety personnel retirement system.
1281 established by section 41-1825 or in the public safety personnel retirement system.
D.
- 4 - S.B.
1281 D.
- 3 - S.B.
5.
1281 5.
(e) MOVEMENT OR STORGE OF AIRCRAFT.
(e) MOVEMENT OR STORAGE OF AIRCRAFT.
Sec.
- 5 - S.B.
1281 Sec.
3.
Section 26-104, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
26-104.
Assistant adjutants general;
appointment;
qualifications There shall be THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT at least two assistant adjutants general of the THIS state, one OF WHOSE branch of service IS THE army and one OF WHOSE branch of service IS THE air force who shall be appointed by the governor.
THE GOVERNOR MAY APPOINT additional assistant adjutants general may be appointed if authorized by the chief national guard bureau.
They shall THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANTS GENERAL MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
1.
Be ASSIGNED IN THE NATIONAL GUARD OF THIS STATE AND BE APPOINTED AS general officers and must possess the same qualifications prescribed for the adjutant general IN THE NATIONAL GUARD OF THIS STATE.
RECEIVE FEDERAL RECOGNITION OF THEIR GENERAL OFFICER RANK WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS AFTER APPOINTMENT.
3.
AT THE TIME OF FEDERAL RECOGNITION, BE IN GOOD STANDING WITH CURRENT ARMY OR AIR FORCE STANDARDS OR REQUIREMENTS, DEPENDING ON THE APPOINTEE'S BRANCH OF SERVICE, FOR MILITARY SERVICE.
Sec.
4.
- 4 - S.B.
C.
1281 C.
The total number of national guardsmen who received reimbursement payments pursuant to this section during the preceding fiscal year.
The total number of national guardsmen GUARD MEMBERS who received reimbursement payments pursuant to this section during the preceding fiscal year.
The number of newly recruited national guardsmen who received reimbursement payments pursuant to this section during the preceding fiscal year.
The number of newly recruited national guardsmen GUARD MEMBERS who received reimbursement payments pursuant to this section during the preceding fiscal year.
3.
- 6 - S.B.
The total number of spouses and dependents of national guardsmen who received reimbursement payments pursuant to this section during the preceding fiscal year.
1281 3.
The total number of spouses and dependents of national guardsmen GUARD MEMBERS who received reimbursement payments pursuant to this section during the preceding fiscal year.
- 5 -
Sec.
5.
Effective date Section 26-101, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by this act, is effective from and after December 31, 2026.
APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR JULY 1, 2025.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 1, 2025.
- 7 -
View plain text versions (5)

Action History

  1. Signed by Governor

  2. Transmit to Governor

  3. PASSED

  4. PASSED

  5. Transmit to Senate

  6. PASSED

  7. DPA

  8. PASSED

  9. DPA

  10. PASSED

  11. DPA

  12. House Placed on Consent Calendar

  13. DP

  14. House Second Reading

  15. House First Reading.

  16. Transmit to House

  17. PASSED

  18. DP

  19. Senate Second Reading

  20. Senate First Reading

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 91 not signed on · 17 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (91)

91 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 91 →

"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 27 Yea · 2 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 12100
Republican 15101
Total 27201
% of votes cast 90%7%0%3%
How each member voted (30)
Member Party Vote
Analise Ortiz Democrat Yea
Brian Fernandez Democrat Yea
Catherine Miranda Democrat Yea
Denise “Mitzi” Epstein Democrat Yea
Eva Diaz Democrat Yea
Flavio Bravo Democrat Yea
Kiana Sears Democrat Yea
Lauren Kuby Democrat Yea
Lela Alston Democrat Yea
Priya Sundareshan Democrat Yea
Rosanna Gabaldón Democrat Yea
Sally Ann Gonzales Democrat Yea
Theresa Hatathlie Democrat Nay
Carine Werner Republican Yea
David C. Farnsworth Republican Yea
David Gowan Republican Yea
Frank Carroll Republican Yea
Hildy Angius Republican Yea
J.D. Mesnard Republican Yea
Jake Hoffman Republican Nay
Janae Shamp Republican Yea
John Kavanagh Republican Yea
Kevin Payne Republican Yea
Mark Finchem Republican Yea
Shawnna Bolick Republican Yea
Thomas "T.J." Shope Republican Not Voting
Timothy "Tim" Dunn Republican Yea
Venden "Vince" Leach Republican Yea
Warren Petersen Republican Yea
Wendy Rogers Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed

Passed 41 Yea · 11 Nay · 8 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 22203
Republican 19905
Total 411108
% of votes cast 68%18%0%13%
How each member voted (60)
Member Party Vote
Aaron Márquez Democrat Yea
Alma Hernandez Democrat Yea
Anna Abeytia Democrat Yea
Betty J Villegas Democrat Yea
Brian Garcia Democrat Yea
Cesar Aguilar Democrat Yea
Christopher Mathis Democrat Yea
Consuelo Hernandez Democrat Yea
Elda Luna-Nájera Democrat Yea
Janeen Connolly Democrat Yea
Junelle Cavero Democrat Yea
Kevin Volk Democrat Yea
Lorena Austin Democrat Yea
Lupe Contreras Democrat Yea
Lydia Hernandez Democrat Yea
Mae Peshlakai Democrat Yea
Mariana Sandoval Democrat Nay
Myron Tsosie Democrat Yea
Nancy Gutierrez Democrat Yea
Oscar De Los Santos Democrat Not Voting
Patty Contreras Democrat Yea
Quantá Crews Democrat Nay
Sarah Liguori Democrat Yea
Seth Blattman Democrat Yea
Stacey Travers Democrat Not Voting
Stephanie Simacek Democrat Yea
Stephanie Stahl Hamilton Democrat Not Voting
Alexander Kolodin Republican Nay
Beverly Pingerelli Republican Not Voting
Chris Lopez Republican Not Voting
David Livingston Republican Not Voting
David Marshall, Sr. Republican Nay
Gail Griffin Republican Yea
James Taylor Republican Not Voting
Jeff Weninger Republican Yea
John Gillette Republican Yea
Joseph Chaplik Republican Nay
Julie Willoughby Republican Yea
Justin Olson Republican Nay
Justin Wilmeth Republican Yea
Khyl Powell Republican Yea
Laurin Hendrix Republican Not Voting
Leo Biasiucci Republican Yea
Lisa Fink Republican Yea
Lupe Diaz Republican Yea
Matt Gress Republican Yea
Michael Carbone Republican Yea
Michael Way Republican Nay
Michele Peña Republican Yea
Neal Carter Republican Nay
Nick Kupper Republican Yea
Pamela Carter Republican Nay
Quang H Nguyen Republican Yea
Rachel Keshel Republican Nay
Ralph Heap Republican Nay
Selina Bliss Republican Yea
Steve Montenegro Republican Yea
Teresa Martinez Republican Yea
Tony Rivero Republican Yea
Walt Blackman Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed

Passed 25 Yea · 4 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 8401
Republican 17000
Total 25401
% of votes cast 83%13%0%3%
How each member voted (30)
Member Party Vote
Analise Ortiz Democrat Nay
Brian Fernandez Democrat Yea
Catherine Miranda Democrat Yea
Denise “Mitzi” Epstein Democrat Nay
Eva Burch Democrat Not Voting
Eva Diaz Democrat Yea
Flavio Bravo Democrat Nay
Lauren Kuby Democrat Yea
Lela Alston Democrat Yea
Priya Sundareshan Democrat Nay
Rosanna Gabaldón Democrat Yea
Sally Ann Gonzales Democrat Yea
Theresa Hatathlie Democrat Yea
Carine Werner Republican Yea
David C. Farnsworth Republican Yea
David Gowan Republican Yea
Frank Carroll Republican Yea
Hildy Angius Republican Yea
J.D. Mesnard Republican Yea
Jake Hoffman Republican Yea
Janae Shamp Republican Yea
John Kavanagh Republican Yea
Kevin Payne Republican Yea
Mark Finchem Republican Yea
Shawnna Bolick Republican Yea
Thomas "T.J." Shope Republican Yea
Timothy "Tim" Dunn Republican Yea
Venden "Vince" Leach Republican Yea
Warren Petersen Republican Yea
Wendy Rogers Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

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

Who sponsors SB 1281?
SB 1281 is sponsored by John Gillette (Republican) and David Gowan (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 1281?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 1281?
Track SB 1281 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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