Arizona 2024 2024 Regular Session

Arizona Senate Bill SB1454 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 03/01/2024

                      	SB 1454 
Initials CH/RP 	Page 1 	Education 
 
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Fifty-sixth Legislature 
Second Regular Session 
Senate: ED DP 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 28-0-2-0 
 
SB 1454: AZ529 savings plan; committee; membership 
Sponsor: Senator Bennett, LD 1 
Committee on Education 
Overview 
Modifies the membership of the AZ529, Arizona's Education Savings Plan (AZ529 Plan) 
Advisory Committee. 
History 
Section 529 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code allows states to establish tax-advantaged 
qualified tuition programs (also known as 529 plans) for individuals. These qualified tuition 
plans are sponsored by states, state agencies or educational institutions (26 U.S.C. § 529). 
The AZ529 Plan is administered by the Treasurer and operates through trust fund accounts 
established by private individuals at approved financial institutions; an account may be 
opened by any person who desires to invest in the AZ529 Plan to save and pay for qualified 
education expenses (A.R.S. Title 15, Chapter 14, Article 7).  
The AZ529 Plan Advisory Committee is tasked with assisting the Treasurer in raising 
awareness of the AZ529 Plan, with emphasis on increasing access to the AZ529 Plan among 
economically disadvantaged, minority and underrepresented student populations. Members 
are appointed by the Treasurer and include: the Treasurer (or their designee); two members 
who represent community college districts in counties meeting prescribed population 
requirements; one member who represents an Arizona public university; two members who 
represent accredited private educational institutions; one member who represents an 
accredited private school or organization offering K-12 instruction; one member who is a 
teacher that provides classroom instruction; one member who represents a federally-
recognized Indian tribe in Arizona; one member who represents a U.S. Department of Labor-
approved apprenticeship program; and three public members who are Arizona residents (one 
of whom must represent an Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) (A.R.S. § 41-179). 
Provisions 
1. Authorizes AZ529 Plan Advisory Committee members to be represented by a designee. 
(Sec. 1) 
2. Requires at least one of the public members of the AZ529 Plan Advisory Committee to 
have financial planning experience. (Sec. 1) 
3. Asserts that all AZ529 Plan Advisory Committee members serving on the general 
effective date may continue to serve until the expiration of their normal terms. (Sec. 2) 
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes)     ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes)      ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note