Assigned to ED FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1461
charter schools; state board; members
Purpose
Requires the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
rather than the Governor, to each appoint two of the six public members of the Arizona State Board
for Charter Schools (ASBCS).
Background
The ASBCS exercises general supervision over charter schools that are sponsored by the
ASBCS and recommends legislation pertaining to charter schools to the Legislature. The ASBCS
approves applications, grants charters, adopts rules and policies for charter schools and monitors
academic performance and fiscal compliance.
The ASBCS consists of 14 members, 10 of whom are appointed by the Governor to serve
four-year terms. The appointed members include: 1) 2 business community members; 2) a teacher
from a charter school; 3) an operator of a charter school; and 4) 6 public members. At least two of
the public members must reside in a school district where at least 60 percent of the attending
children meet National School Lunch Program eligibility requirements for free lunches and at least
one public member must reside on an Indian reservation. Additionally, the Superintendent of
Public Instruction and three members of the Legislature serve on the ASBCS (A.R.S. ยง 15-182).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, rather
than the Governor, to each appoint two of the six public members of the ASBCS, two of which
must meet the outlined school district residency requirement.
2. Makes technical and conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 5, 2024
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