AZ HB2221

Grants the Arizona Supreme Court exclusive authority to regulate attorneys and collect mandatory assessments from attorneys as a condition of practicing law in the state.

Limits mandatory assessment funds to specific regulatory functions: admitting attorneys, maintaining records, enforcing ethical rules, regulating continuing legal education, maintaining trust account records, and preventing unauthorized practice of law.

Allows the State Bar of Arizona to collect voluntary membership dues from attorneys for lawful activities not covered by mandatory assessments, with mandatory and voluntary collections kept separate.

Requires the State Bar of Arizona to publicly disclose all expenditures of mandatory assessment funds annually and provide independent audits to ensure funds are used only for regulatory purposes listed in the law.

Grants public access to State Bar records related to mandatory assessment spending, with provisions for court appeals if access is denied and potential damages liability against the State Bar for wrongful denial.