Nancy Barto

Nancy Barto was an Arizona state legislator who once chaired the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. During her legislative career she repeatedly attempted to advance legislation that propped up professional licensing boards, including the veterinary board, over the public's right to know.

In 2017, Barto's SB 1452 contained several major changes. It severely limited the types of information regarding actions, especially other than final disciplinary actions, that could be published on government websites. Lesser outcomes such as letters of concern or advisory letters were unavailable without a direct request with the agency. The legislation as drafted modified reappointment term limits for health profession regulatory board members (of which the veterinary board is one) and reduced the statute of limitations for filing a complaint. The final legislation contained somewhat different changes.

In 2021, Barto went after disciplinary records in SB 1357. That bill prevented boards (such as the veterinary board) from posting disciplinary orders on websites for longer than five years. While the legislation's subject matter was tagged as affecting the pharmacy board, her actual legislative changes applied to all health profession boards.

One of her political endorsements was for none other than John Kavanagh, who attempted and failed (for now) to carve out two more veterinary board positions for special interests.

Barto narrowly lost her state senate seat in a close 2022 election.