Legislative Updates
The Importance of ACEC Arizona Legislative Engagement
ACEC-Arizona’s legislative activities are essential to protecting the business environment for engineering firms, advancing infrastructure investment, and ensuring Arizona has a strong, competitive engineering workforce. By maintaining a visible, informed, and proactive presence at both the state Capitol and in Washington, DC, ACEC-AZ ensures that engineers are not just reacting to policy decisions but helping shape them.
Being present and engaged allows ACEC-AZ to provide technical expertise, identify unintended consequences of proposed legislation, and build long-term relationships with policymakers. This credibility ensures that when critical issues arise, legislators view ACEC-AZ as a trusted, solutions-oriented partner.
Recent Legislative Successes
Over the past year, ACEC-AZ has strengthened its advocacy capacity and delivered tangible results for members:
- Strengthened Legislative Representation:
ACEC-AZ hired the Dorn Policy Group as its lobbyist and implemented regular coordination meetings to stay ahead of legislative activity. This proactive approach enabled ACEC-AZ to take formal positions on several critical bills. - Expanded Workforce Through Licensure Reform:
ACEC-AZ successfully engaged in and supported passage of an engineering licensure reciprocity bill, improving workforce availability by allowing qualified engineers from other states to more easily get registered to practice in Arizona. - Leadership on Regional Transportation Funding:
ACEC-AZ helped to lead development of the strategy to extend the regional transportation sales tax in Pima County and serves on the campaign steering committee for the Connect Pima Campaign for the Regional Transportation Authority initiative helping advance long-term, voter-approved critical infrastructure investment - National Advocacy Support:
ACEC-AZ secured $75,000 in funding from ACEC National to support advocacy for the Connect Pima campaign. - Federal Engagement in Washington, DC:
ACEC-AZ leaders met directly with Arizona’s Congressional representatives and U.S. Senators to advocate on federal issues critical to the profession, including: - Protecting and expanding the R&D tax credit
- Improving the H-1B visa process to help firms access a broader, global workforce
Legislative Focus Areas: Next 3 Years
Looking ahead, ACEC-AZ’s legislative priorities will remain focused on issues that directly affect member firms and Arizona’s long-term competitiveness:
Infrastructure & Transportation Funding
- Advancing sustainable, long-term funding for transportation
- Advocating for responsible water policies that protect our water resources while supporting the continued growth of Arizona’s economy
- Supporting voter-approved and regional funding mechanisms that provide predictability for project delivery
Workforce Development & Licensure
- Expanding licensure reciprocity.
- Supporting STEM pipelines and policies that grow and retain engineering talent
Procurement & Business Practices
- Defending Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) when they arise
- Promoting fair, transparent procurement policies that prioritize expertise
Federal & State Policy Alignment
- Ensuring Arizona maximizes federal infrastructure and research funding opportunities
- Advocating for tax and regulatory policies that support innovation and firm sustainability
Why This Matters to Members
ACEC-AZ’s legislative presence ensures that:
- Engineers have a seat at the table when decisions are made
- Members are informed, prepared, and empowered to engage
- Policies support a strong business climate, resilient infrastructure, and a growing workforce
Through consistent engagement and demonstrated leadership, ACEC-Arizona continues to protect and advance the interests of the engineering profession today and for the future.
Advocacy
Your Participation In Politics Matters!
Welcome to the ACEC Arizona Advocacy Action Center! Here, you will find powerful tools to help you actively engage in the political process. There are numerous effective ways to ensure that your voice is heard by politicians. It is crucial for every member and industry partner to actively participate so that we can significantly influence the policies and decisions that impact your business and the engineering industry. You are the industry’s most influential advocates.
Our members reap the rewards of our unwavering advocacy at the local, state, and federal government levels. We are fully prepared to combat any law, rule, or precedent that poses a threat to our industry. We maintain strong and reliable relationships with policymakers from all political affiliations. By collaborating with strategic allies, experts, and activists, we are dedicated to finding pragmatic solutions to the issues facing the construction industry. Our federal initiatives are fortified by the resources and expertise of ACEC, one of the most esteemed lobbying organizations in Washington, D.C.
