Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 38-531 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Employee" means an officer or employee of this state or any of its departments, commissions, agencies or boards. Employee includes employees and officers of community college districts, school districts and counties of this state and law enforcement officers of a city or town but does not include officers or employees of a municipal corporation established for the purpose of reclamation and distribution of water and the generation of electricity.

2. "Former employee" means an employee who was dismissed.

3. "Law enforcement officer" has the same meaning prescribed in section 38-1101.

4. "Personnel action" means:

(a) Appointment.

(b) Promotion.

(c) Disciplinary or corrective action.

(d) Detail, transfer or reassignment.

(e) Suspension, demotion or dismissal.

(f) Reinstatement.

(g) Restoration.

(h) Reemployment.

(i) Performance evaluation.

(j) Decision concerning pay, benefits or awards.

(k) Elimination of the employee's position without a reduction in force by reason of lack of monies or work.

(l) Other significant change in duties or responsibilities that is inconsistent with the employee's salary or grade level.

5. "Public body" means the attorney general, the legislature, the governor, a federal, state or local law enforcement agency, the county attorney, the governing board of a community college district or school district, the board of supervisors of a county or an agency director.

6. "Reprisal" means to take a personnel action the result of which is adverse to an employee.

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases, 1991–2013 · leading case: McDonald v. Campbell, 821 P.2d 139 (Ariz. 1991).
McDonald v. Campbell, 821 P.2d 139 (Ariz. 1991). · cites it 24× “ISSUES The issues presented for our consideration concern (1) whether the "whistle-blowing" statutes (A.R.S. § 38-531 et seq. ) together with the statutes relating to the Personnel Board (A.”
Mullenaux v. Graham Cnty., 82 P.3d 362 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. § 38-531(1) (defining “employee” as used in § 38-532 as including county employees).”
Arizona State Bd. of Regents Ex Rel. Arizona State Univ. v. Arizona State Pers. Bd., 985 P.2d 1032 (Ariz. 1999). · cites it 2× “§ 41-782(B), alleging reprisal in violation of the state Whistleblower Protection Act, A.R.S. § 38-531 et seq. She also filed a grievance with Arizona State University alleging violations of the University’s own Whistleblower Protection Policy.”
Arizona State Bd. of Regents v. Arizona State Pers. Bd., 953 P.2d 904 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 6× “”) section 38-531 (“The Whistleblower Act”).”
McKee v. Peoria Unified Sch. Dist., 963 F. Supp. 2d 911 (D. Ariz. 2013). “”) § 38-531, et seq. of the District’s failure to abide its Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Glendale and violations of the County Regulations regarding Swimming Pools.”
Mullenaux v. Graham Cnty. (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. § 38-531(1) (defining “employee” as used in § 38-532 as including county employees).”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 38-531(1) — 3 cases
Mullenaux v. Graham Cnty., 82 P.3d 362 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). “See A.R.S. § 38-531(1) (defining “employee” as used in § 38-532 as including county employees).”
McDonald v. Campbell, 821 P.2d 139 (Ariz. 1991). “ISSUES The issues presented for our consideration concern (1) whether the "whistle-blowing" statutes (A.R.S. § 38-531 et seq. ) together with the statutes relating to the Personnel Board (A.”
Mullenaux v. Graham Cnty. (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). “See A.R.S. § 38-531(1) (defining “employee” as used in § 38-532 as including county employees).”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 38-531(3) — 1 case
Arizona State Bd. of Regents v. Arizona State Pers. Bd., 953 P.2d 904 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1996). “”) section 38-531 (“The Whistleblower Act”).”
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