ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate:  RAGE DPA/SE 4-2-1-0 | 3^rd Read 17-12-1-0 House: RO DP 3-2-0-0

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SB 1237: state employees; remote work; prohibition

Sponsor: Senator Petersen, LD 14

Caucus & COW

Overview

Prohibits any full-time State of Arizona employee (FTE) from working remotely.  Authorizes a supervisor to allow a sick FTE to work remotely.

History

Arizona's Telework Program began initially as a pilot program in the 1990s as a means to improve Arizona's air quality through alternate travel mode and travel reduction measures (A.R.S. § 49-588). All agencies, boards and commissions were authorized to phase in a telecommuting program administered by the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office (Executive Order 93-4).  Later the program was placed under the Arizona Department of Administration.  The most recent change in 2003 mandates that every state agency, board and commission implement the Telework Program with a goal of 20% of employees in Maricopa County actively participating (Executive Order 2003-11).  Prior to March 2020, fewer than 10% of State employees worked remotely. As of December 31, 2024, 15,909 employees, 41% percent of the State of Arizona workforce worked remotely, either full-time from a virtual office or on a periodic telecommuting schedule. (Arizona's Connected Workforce).  

Provisions

1. Prevents an FTE from working remotely, except as authorized by a supervisor when the FTE employee is sick.  (Sec. 1)

2. Directs each state agency to require an FTE perform all job duties at the agency's office during regular work hours.  (Sec. 1)

3. States that an FTE performing site visits, inspections or other services at a location other than the state agency's office is exempt from the prohibition against working remotely if the FTE is providing the services during regularly scheduled work hours. (Sec. 1)

4. Establishes that virtual meetings and conference calls are not remote work. (Sec.1)

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8.                   SB 1237

9. Initials DC/GG    Page 0 Caucus & COW

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