Know Before Session: A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Arizona’s Legislative Process

Arizona's 2026 Legislative Session begins Monday, January 12.

The 57th State Legislature's Second Regular Session begins this Monday. The Arizona Medical Association is poised for another historic year of passing legislation to improve healthcare for physicians and the patients we serve.

Are you ready? As bills move through the process, we'll need your expertise and insight, which you can share in several different ways. You'll also hear a lot of slang, acronyms, and government terms — here's your guide to what you need to know to be engaged!

Legislative Terms You Need to Know

COW: Committee of the Whole, affectionately referred to as COW, is where the entire House of Representatives or the entire Senate convenes on the chamber floor to debate legislation and amend bills. Every bill must pass COW before advancing for a formal vote.

Strike Everything Amendment: Also known as a striker, this is an amendment that removes the text of a previously introduced bill and replaces it with different legislation. The new language can be unrelated to the old language but must be germane.

Caucus: A noun and a verb. The noun means a group of people with something in common (e.g., the Democratic or Republican caucuses). The verb is used to describe when these groups meet to discuss issues. In addition to the partisan caucus meetings, which are generally held on Tuesday mornings and are open to the public, there are issue-specific caucuses that meet periodically.

Do Pass (DP): Recommendation by a committee for the passage of legislation, this is required before a bill can be heard on the floor.

3rd Read: The official vote by the whole chamber on legislation

Crossover Week: A week midway through session where both chambers push live bills through COW and 3rd reads so they can move to the opposite chamber

Earmark: Government dollars/funding appropriated to a project, district, region, etc. for political reasons

Held: A bill that was on an agenda but then was not moved, this does not mean that the bill is dead as it can be added to another agenda at a later date.

Hostile Amendment: An amendment that was not discussed with the bill sponsor or that was discussed and rejected by the bill sponsor that is being offered as an addition to a bill, usually during COW.

Legislative Council: Refers to bipartisan staff attorneys that are responsible for drafting bills and amendments.

JLBC: The Joint Legislative Budget Committee is a bipartisan, bicameral committee. JLBC is also used to reference committee staff who address state budget issues.

Fiscal Note: An analysis written by JLBC on the impact that proposed legislation will have on state and local governments. This must be requested by a legislator.

Rules Committee: A committee in the House and Senate that only reviews constitutionality and legality of proposed legislation. A bill must pass the Rules Committee to continue through the legislative process.

Technical Corrections: A bill that makes a simple technical fix that will eventually be used as a vehicle bill.

Vehicle: Slang used to refer to a bill that is intended to be used for a strike everything amendment

Zombie Bill: A bill or subject that was considered dead that has found new life as an amendment or as a striker

General Effective Date: 90 days after the Legislature adjourns Sine Die unless otherwise stated in the legislation with a delayed effective date or emergency clause.

Delayed Effective Date: An effective date for new statute that is after the General Effective Date. This is typically used with complex legislation that may need more time to fully implement.

Sine Die: A Latin term meaning "without a day", when used in the political world it means to adjourn for the end of the session. The Arizona Legislature is supposed to adhere to a 100-day session, but often goes weeks longer.

Make Your Voice Heard: Arizona's Request-to-Speak System

Participating in the legislative process is easier than you think. Arizona's Request-to-Speak (RTS) system allows physicians to sign in support of or against key healthcare legislation that will shape the future of medicine in Arizona—all from your computer or phone.

If you're not already registered for RTS, click here to sign up. Once a member of ArMA's Advocacy Team creates your account, you'll receive an email with a user manual and all the information you need to get started. Click here to learn more about how RTS works.

Join ArMA's Doctor of the Day Program

ArMA's Doctor of the Day program is back! Sign-ups for our most popular program are now live for licensed physician members. Participate in the program and receive VIP treatment at the State Capitol, including a tour of campus, one-on-one meetings with legislators, and an introduction before the legislature. We've even saved you a parking spot! Less than 5 spots remain. Learn more about the program & sign up today »

Stay Informed This Session

ArMA's Advocacy Team will keep you updated on and engaged with the action as the session progresses. But we need your help to defend and advance the House of Medicine! Whether through RTS, the Doctor of the Day program, or staying informed on key legislation via Medicine This Week, your engagement makes a difference.

Thank you for helping us champion patient care and strengthen the communities we serve!