This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts. It introduces new requirements for qualified schools and service providers receiving funds from these accounts, including prohibitions on sharing or rebating scholarship funds and mandates for compliance with financial reporting and performance standards. Specifically, it establishes minimum financial performance requirements for qualified schools, ensuring they provide data similar to that required from school districts and charter schools. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of a financial transparency portal to enhance accountability and oversight.

The bill also outlines a comprehensive review process for the Arizona empowerment scholarship accounts program, requiring the joint legislative audit committee to conduct periodic evaluations and performance audits. These reviews will assess the program's effectiveness, financial management, and whether it meets its original objectives. Furthermore, it introduces an audit team within the auditor general's office to monitor how scholarship funds are utilized in classrooms, ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. Overall, the proposed changes aim to strengthen oversight and improve the financial integrity of the empowerment scholarship accounts program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2402, 15-2403, 15-2407, 41-1279.03, 15-766, 15-2401, 15-505, 15-534.04, 28-9551, 15-802, 15-185, 15-943, 35-190, 2020-2021, 35-113, 15-2401.01, 15-2404, 93-380, 15-914, 13-2310, 41-2954, 41-2952