The state House of Representatives approved the budget bill for higher education on Thursday evening in a 31-29 vote along party lines. The bill included an amendment that prohibits the Arizona Board of Regents, public universities and colleges from requiring students to get a COVID-19 vaccine, wear face coverings or be routinely tested as a condition to participate in classes or activities.
Republican Rep. John Fillmore voted in favor of this bill.
“We should all be able to make decisions on our own bodies," he said.
Democratic Rep. Athena Salman, whose district includes ASU’s Tempe campus, was concerned about what this will mean for her community, especially with the new and more contagious Delta variant now circulating in the community.
"Now these students who are not vaccinated, who are not required to get tested, who are not required to wear masks on university property are going to be shopping at the same stores as the rest of my community, and what? I can’t rely on this body for any help. I can’t rely on the governor for help," she said.
But House Speaker Rusty Bowers argued the bill does not prevent institutions from offering and encouraging voluntary testing.
The higher ed budget bill also passed in the Senate earlier this week. It awaits Gov. Doug Ducey’s signature.
