Safety recommendations are welcomed and encouraged -- mandates that place more stress on students and families aren't," Ducey said in a statement. "These grants acknowledge efforts by schools and educators that are following state laws and keeping their classroom doors open for Arizona's students."

In order for school districts to qualify for the grants, which total about $163 million, they must reopen schools for in-person learning and adhere to "all state laws," which includes the state ban on mask mandates in schools, according to CNN.

Ducey's move marks his latest attempt to crack down on school mask mandates, despite guidance from health officials that suggest masks help to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Some school districts in Arizona have sought to push back on the governor's ban, arguing that it won't take effect until September, making their current mask mandates legal until then, CNN noted.