STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – State Representative Walt Blackman and State Senator Janae Shamp today announced the introduction of mirror legislation to reform the Arizona State Board of Chiropractic Examiners following a December 2024 Arizona Auditor General special audit documenting widespread mismanagement, abuse of authority, and statutory violations by the Board.

The legislation, Senate Bill 1021 and its identical House companion, House Bill 2227, directly addresses the Auditor General’s findings, including unauthorized investigative practices, inconsistent enforcement of state law, failure to report alleged criminal conduct, and improper advocacy activity by a regulatory body tasked with licensing oversight.

According to the audit, the Board routinely issued subpoenas unrelated to the complaints under review, triggering disciplinary actions and prolonged investigations without legal basis. The report also found uneven enforcement of continuing education and recordkeeping requirements, a refusal to refer allegations of criminal conduct—such as sexual misconduct and insurance fraud—to law enforcement, and a growing backlog of unresolved cases. As of May 2024, nearly 70 percent of open complaints had remained unresolved for more than 180 days.

A new initial follow-up report released by the Auditor General on January 13, 2026, found that the Board has failed to fully correct these problems. Of the 28 recommendations issued in the December 2024 audit, none had been fully implemented, with three not implemented at all and the remaining recommendations still incomplete. The follow-up review also identified additional deficiencies, including failures to properly post disciplinary actions, delayed and incomplete responses to public records requests, and continued noncompliance with open meeting law requirements, confirming that the Board’s governance and accountability issues persist.

The Auditor General further concluded that the Board engaged in unauthorized lobbying, restricted public participation at meetings, altered public records, and failed to maintain consistent internal procedures, leaving licensees uncertain of their obligations and exposing the state to legal risk.

“These findings confirm what Arizona chiropractors and small business owners have been warning for years,” Representative Blackman said. “A regulatory board cannot operate outside the law, ignore due process, and punish licensees without accountability. The follow-up audit makes clear that legislative action is no longer optional. This legislation restores clear limits and ensures the Board answers to the authority granted by the Legislature.”

 “Professional licensing boards exist to protect the public, not to pursue unchecked investigations, ignore due process, or advance political agendas,” said Senator Shamp. “The Auditor General’s findings clearly indicated that this board consistently ignored statutes, fairness, and basic accountability. The follow-up report confirms that these issues are still unresolved. When a board fails to correct its course after receiving notice, the Legislature must step in. These bills aim to restore lawful oversight, protect patients, and ensure that practitioners are treated fairly under clear, consistent rules.”

The legislation builds on reform efforts introduced in prior legislative sessions and clarifies the Board’s investigative authority, enforcement standards, and reporting obligations. It also strengthens transparency requirements and reinforces compliance with Arizona law and the Arizona Administrative Code.

Arizona chiropractic business owners and practicing doctors have publicly supported the reforms. In a collective letter sent earlier this year to Governor Katie Hobbs, providers warned that the Board has “exceeded the powers granted to them by the Legislature,” leading to “termination of contracts with our member physicians and tarnishing our reputations.” The letter urged swift action to prevent further harm.

“We wholeheartedly endorse this initiative,” the group stated in the letter. “A thorough review by your office of the actions taken by the Board… should be a priority as they have caused significant harm to our businesses and continue to undermine the integrity of the chiropractic profession in Arizona.”

HB 2227 and SB 1021 are expected to be considered early in the legislative session. Senator Shamp and Representative Blackman encourage chiropractors, patients, and members of the public to engage in the legislative process as the bills move forward.