SB 1237
Initials DC/GG Page 1 Caucus & COW
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
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)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note