U.S. government warns that AZ proposal could lead to takeover of state agency
Federal officials warn that Arizona lawmakers are voting on a bill that violates the Occupational Health and Safety Act and could result in a federal takeover of the state’s workplace safety inspections.
Arizona is one of 22 states that operates its own job health and safety program, known as ADOSH, under federal oversight.
ADOSH is housed with the Industrial Commission of Arizona. An amendment to a bill needed to continue the ICA, sponsored by Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix), would make changes to the agency’s operations that he says will keep Arizona from adopting certain Biden administration policies.
Federal officials say the bill will cause Arizona’s program to fall below OSHA standards. Specifically, Gress’ amendment would clarify what kind of individuals would be allowed to accompany inspections as they go about their inspections, which the federal government flagged as a problem.
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs urged lawmakers to change the bill to comply with federal law.
“This reckless amendment would force a federal government takeover of Arizona workplace safety inspections,” Hobbs said in a statement. “It’s time to stop the partisan attacks on the ICA, restore sanity and end the chaos.”
The bill would also have the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, which Gress chairs, review any ADOSH proposals before they move forward.
“What we’re jeopardizing is the discretion of the ICA to adopt Biden labor policies. … The Biden administration is violating a 40-year precedent on third-party walk around inspections. We are codifying the current practice and should the ICA want to adopt the Biden administration’s policies, they’re going to have to come to the joint legislative audit committee,” Gress told his colleagues.
The bill passed the House on party lines on Thursday. If the ICA isn’t continued by the Legislature, it will expire in July.
