SB1435 Summary

• Transfers attorney licensing authority from the State Bar of Arizona to the Arizona Supreme Court, eliminating mandatory State Bar membership as a requirement to practice law in Arizona.

• Replaces references to "member of the state bar" with "licensed attorney in this state" throughout Arizona statutes in over 40 sections affecting courts, administrative agencies, and professional regulations.

• Requires the Supreme Court to establish attorney licensing requirements and prohibits the Court from mandating membership in any organization as a condition of becoming or remaining a licensed attorney.

• Updates terminology in statutes governing judicial proceedings, administrative hearings, professional discipline, and various licensing boards to reflect the new licensing structure.

• Modifies attorney discipline procedures so the Supreme Court (rather than the State Bar) handles investigations and discipline, with prevailing attorneys able to recover investigation and litigation costs from the Supreme Court.