For all forlorn NFIB/Arizona members stuck in the dry heat of another Arizona summer and those fortunate enough to find refuge in Prescott, Flagstaff, Pinetop or La Jolla, it’s time to take a few minutes and start preparing for 2018 Arizona Legislative session.
At this time last year, we were working closely with Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office to begin the rollback of thousands of abusive Americans With Disabilities Act-based drive-by lawsuits. Our AG then became the first top state prosecutor in the nation to intervene on behalf of beleaguered small business owners in such cases. And he was ultimately victorious in the courts, effectively tossing out more than 1,100 active cases and preventing another 9,000(!) predatory lawsuits from being filed against small businesses in state courts.
That effort led directly to NFIB/Arizona taking the initiative to convene a stakeholder’s process with business and disability-rights advocates under the leadership of House Majority Leader John Allen and Rep. Maria Syms with the goal of negotiating consensus solutions to the costly legal practice. What resulted at the end of the 2017 legislative process was a new law (SB 1406) signed by Gov. Doug Ducey that blends a variety of concepts including Sen. John Kavanagh’s effort in the state senate that puts an end to drive-by ADA lawsuits in Arizona.
It’s during these summer months when ideas, issue research, and legislative development are brought together and prepared in time for the opening of the next Regular Session in January.
If you know of a state legislative, legal or regulatory issue that applies generally to all or a majority of small business owners, please let me know what you are thinking about. Initially, boil down your issue and offer a preferred solution in a short email directed to me at [email protected]. I’ll then respond with specific questions and offer my read on the likelihood of the policy advancing next session.
Again, get me your public policy idea now and maybe next year at this time your idea could have become law and I’m using it as the example for a future ideas request regarding the 2019 legislative session.
Farrell Quinlan
Arizona State Director
