Alexandria Cullen

JMC 301

Political/Legislative Story

10/23/22

PHOENIX - In response to the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic, Arizona lawmakers

recently passed a bill that allows business owners to make their own decision when it comes to

keeping their doors open, while under a state of emergency.

The state of Arizona recently passed a law in March of 2022, called House Bill 2107,

furthermore known as the reference title: emergency powers; business closure; repeal. The bill,

sponsored primarily by Republican Representative Leo Biasiucci and a large group of co-

sponsors, discusses the actions allowed to be made by political subdivisions and state of

emergency assistance groups.

What the bill defines as an emergency includes a fire, natural disaster, man-made disasters,

threats, as well as any type of concern that could be considered endangerment to the town or

county it is within.

The mayor or chairman of the board is allowed to declare by proclamation, the state of

emergency, but under House Bill 2107, local businesses are no longer obligated to close based

on the declaration.
Prior to the bill being passed, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, mayors, governors, and other

officials across the state and country, applied restrictions, under similar laws that did shut down

the majority of businesses both at a small as well as large corporate level.

The country was very divided upon the restrictions, and many small businesses ended up failing,

or closing indefinitely because of the impact that these laws and shutdowns had on their ability to

work.

Business owners/managers in Phoenix, Arizona had mixed opinions on the bill passing, and

whether they would choose to stay open, “against” recommendation by officials.

“I believe it would depend on the type of emergency,” said Kasey O’Connor, who works with a

company called Wildland Trekking. “I work with individuals and clients on a small scale, so

being able to still operate under certain circumstances, safely, would be beneficial to me

personally, as this is my sole source of income.”

However, others who work for companies that interact with a larger number of people per day,

have their hesitations about the possible opportunity.

“I think we would still choose to conduct procedures based on the recommendation of the

government,” said Brielle Carter, Senior Manager of Ability360, a local gym and business

facility in central Phoenix. “Our main concern is keeping everyone safe, and we don't want to

jeopardize that under any circumstance.”

According to an article written by Gloria Gomez and UA Don Bolles Fellow of Tucson Local

Media, in a house of military affairs and public safety meeting that took place earlier this year
Biasiucci made remarks regarding the bill, saying that “businesses should ultimately be able to

decide when and how to close their doors, not local governments.”

Local Viva Brilhante Swim business owner Kailee Wells said that she fully supported Biasiucci

in his remarks.

“Although I understand his statement was controversial, I think he makes a great point,” said

Wells. “I know me and my business best, and I think that I should have the power to choose what

is right for its overall success.”

The bill passed with a vote of 16 ayes and 12 nays, with the large majority of ayes, being from

the Republican and GOP party.

House Bill 2107 was signed by Governor Doug Ducey on March 30, 2022, although controversy

continues surrounding the bill and its passing.

Sources

Kailee Wells - (719) 691-5801

Kasey O’Connor - (623) 268-0208

Brielle Carter - (602)626-7250

Fellow, G. G. D. B. (2022, October 11). Mayoral power to shut down businesses in emergencies

limited by new legislation. Tucson Local Media. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from
https://www.tucsonlocalmedia.com/business/article_63befe16-8460-11ec-b985-
07f5e6605312.html 

HB 2107 - arizona state legislature. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2022, from
https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/2R/bills/HB2107P.pdf