When it comes to helping shape public policy, Arizona Technology Council staff and members of its Public Policy Committee are no strangers to walking the halls of the Arizona Capitol and even Congress. While securing legislation that supports the technology community is cause for celebration, building upon those successes is even longer lasting.
Examples of what lies ahead for action at the Arizona Legislature are readily available in the Council’s 2024 Public Policy Guide, the 11th edition of the annual publication that releases just before the session begins in January.
The guide takes shape after the committee creates a list of principles in a number of subject areas and then establishes related positions to be used as the foundation of the Council’s public policy efforts. In some cases, the positions will advance through development and advocacy of legislation that will be introduced during the 2024 session. In other instances, the positions will be used on an ongoing basis as regulators or legislators add new regulations, legislation or changes to pertinent existing regulations or laws.
The road to the new session actually was paved in 2023. Last year, Gov. Katies Hobbs signed the measure that increased the aggregate cap on reimbursements to counties and municipalities for public infrastructure improvement costs that benefit manufacturing facilities. Taking matters further, the Council recommends legislators in the next session support economic development programs that have proven to work for Arizona, including maintaining and funding programs that support manufacturing.
Speaking of infrastructure, funding also was approved to support both the rural broadband accelerated match fund maintained by the Arizona State Broadband Office of the Arizona Commerce Authority and the broadband expansion fund. For the next step, the Council recommends seeking ways to grant equitable access to essential services such as broadband, employment and education opportunities while impacting workforce diversity, equity and inclusion.
Education and workforce development were priorities in the last session when funding was approved for the computer science professional development fund and Phoenix science education programs. In the next session, the Council recommends developing a phased-in option for students to enroll in computer science courses offered by their schools or an online course approved by the Arizona Department of Education, as well as looking for opportunities to expand Arizona’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, including computer sciences and coding opportunities.
The guide also makes recommendations for lawmakers on Capitol Hill. For example, action is still needed on the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act, and the American Innovation and Jobs Act to help ensure the tax code continues to support innovation. The tax code now requires businesses to amortize or deduct research and development expenses over a period of five years instead of the previously allowed full deduction in the same year. The Council strongly recommends Congress reverse this harmful tax change.
Digital versions of the current and past guides are available at www.aztechcouncil.org/public-policy.
