ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
bedding
Removes
references to the Department of Health Services (DHS) from statutes relating to
the labeling of bedding.
In
1999, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) released a performance audit on
the Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Control Services in DHS, in which the
OAG found the scope of the Office of Environmental Health to be too broad. Among the numerous activities the Office is
mandated to perform, several are delegated to county health departments while
others have minimal impact on public health.
To focus on programs that are more important to public health, the OAG
recommended the Office seek elimination, delegation or transfer of mandated
activities that do not have the greatest impact on public health.
In
response, DHS prioritized its activities and responsibilities and is requesting
elimination of several mandated functions, including licensing and inspecting bedding
manufacturers. According to DHS,
reconditioned bedding does not present a public health threat, but false
representation of reconditioned bedding as new is a consumer fraud issue. Accordingly, S.B. 1061 eliminates the
requirement of DHS to inspect bedding labeling but maintains bedding labeling
requirements.
Legislation
to implement the OAG recommendations was introduced during both the 1999
legislative session (H.B. 2481) and the 2000 legislative session (H.B. 2151) as
part of a health omnibus bill. The 1999
legislation was vetoed by the Governor and the 2000 legislation failed in the
House of Representatives. In her veto
message of the 1999 bill, the Governor stated concern with provisions in the
bill relating to a tobacco tax revenue use, spending and tracking commission.
There
are no costs to the general fund associated with the provisions of this
measure.
1. Eliminates the requirement of DHS to administer and enforce bedding labeling requirements.
2. Requires both new and reconditioned mattress labels to include the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor or renovator.
3. Makes numerous conforming and technical changes.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 12, 2001